Asantehene Calls for Economic Diversification Beyond Cocoa

The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged Ghana to accelerate economic diversification, warning that cocoa alone can no longer sustain the country’s long-term economic ambitions.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Nana Kwame Baffoe IV at the 2026 Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition, the Asantehene acknowledged cocoa’s historic role as the backbone of Ghana’s economy.

“It has educated our children, built our communities, sustained rural livelihoods, and earned Ghana global recognition as a dependable agricultural producer,” he noted.

Cocoa under growing pressure

Despite its importance, he warned that the sector faces mounting threats, including:

• Environmental pollution from illegal mining (galamsey)
• Climate change and shifting rainfall patterns
• Shorter growing seasons
• Increasing pests and diseases
• Decl declining yields in some cocoa-growing areas
  
  

Tree crops seen as future growth engine

The Asantehene commended government efforts to diversify the tree crop sector, highlighting:

• Cashew
• Coconut
• Oil palm
• Rubber
• Mango
• Shea

He stressed that expanding these crops is grounded in sound economic and ecological reasoning and aligns with global market demand.

Currently, cocoa generates about $2 billion annually, but he suggested that six major tree crops could collectively yield $12 billion or more in the future.

Role of traditional authorities

As custodians of over 80% of Ghana’s land, traditional leaders were urged to support sustainable agricultural expansion.

“Let us deliberately make land available for large-scale, responsible tree crop development,” he appealed.

He also emphasised that tree crops provide environmental benefits, including land restoration, soil stability, and watershed protection.

The summit, themed “Sustainable Growth through Tree Crops Investment: Resetting and Building Ghana’s Green Economy,” brought together key stakeholders including John Dramani Mahama, ministers of state, development partners, and industry players.

The Asantehene’s remarks reinforce growing calls for Ghana to transition from commodity dependence toward a diversified, resilient, and environmentally sustainable agricultural economy.