PR & COMMS UPDATES – MOTAI
Officials from the National Defence College in Abuja, Nigeria, paid a study visit to the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry in Accra on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, as part of a regional tour to examine Ghana’s cocoa sector and its role in economic growth.
Mr. Kwame Oppong-Ntim, Director for Agribusiness, welcomed the delegation of 29 participants, as did other Directors and senior officials from the Ministry.
The visit was part of the College’s Regional Study Tour, with the theme “Cocoa Production and Economic Growth in Ghana: Lessons to Nigeria.”
The purpose of the visit, according to Team Leader Commodore Tahir S. Ngada, was to provide participants a firsthand understanding of Ghana’s cocoa industry and its influence on economic development.
He mentioned that the College was founded in 1992 and teaches strategic leaders from governmental institutions, security agencies, and the armed forces in several nations.
He claims that the study trip enables participants to supplement their academic instruction in the classroom with real-world experience, especially in fields related to the tools of national power including economic development, military prowess, diplomacy, and information.
In a presentation to the delegation, Mr. Oppong-Ntim clarified that although the Ghana Cocoa Board oversees the majority of Ghana’s cocoa production, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry is crucial in encouraging value addition, facilitating investment, and increasing market access for cocoa products.
He said that the Ministry uses a number of organisations, such as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Ghana Free Zones Authority, and the Ghana Standards Authority, to promote investment in agro-processing, enhance the business climate, and guarantee that Ghana’s exports satisfy international quality standards.
As part of larger initiatives to improve value addition and raise export revenue, Mr. Oppong-Ntim stated that Ghana is looking to promote domestic processing of cocoa beans into goods like chocolate and cocoa powder.
An interactive question-and-answer period was also included in the session, when participants sought clarification on topics such as land tenure systems, farmer assistance mechanisms, investment promotion in the cocoa sector, and the Ministry’s role in maintaining fiscal and economic stability.
In response to enquiries, Ministry representatives emphasised a number of tactics employed to assist cocoa growers, including as the supply of agricultural supplies, extension services, and incentives in place of direct financial transfers to boost output.
Additionally, they clarified that while the government concentrates on fostering an investment-friendly atmosphere, it still promotes private sector involvement in cocoa processing, with the majority of Ghanaian cocoa processing businesses being privately held.
Officials also noted that the destruction of cocoa crops in some areas has contributed to a recent fall in national output, acknowledging that illegal mining (galamsey) continues to pose a serious danger to cocoa production. They emphasised that the government is stepping up efforts to address the issue and safeguard cocoa-growing regions through interagency cooperation and community involvement.
The visit was a component of a larger academic program organised by the National Defence College with the goal of assisting participants in using Ghana’s cocoa industry as a model for policy discussions and strategic planning in Nigeria and other participating nations.
Source: newsthemegh.com