Sunyani, (Bono), July 9, GNA-The leadership of the Cashew Watch Ghana (CWG) and the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), strategic partner, has paid courtesy to the Management of the Star Ghana Foundation in Accra.
The CWG is a leading civil society organisation advocating the welfare of cashew farmers as well as tackling bottlenecks impeding the growth and development of the nation’s cashew sector.
According to a statement issued and signed by Mr Raphael Ahenu, the National Coordinator of the CWG, Alhaji Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, the Executive Director of the STAR Ghana Foundation received the visitors.
The visit was to enable the CWG to share progress and updates on the implementation of the “Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers” (AVCF) Project being funded by STAR Ghana and to explore pathways for strengthening collaboration towards a sustainable and climate-resilient cashew sector.
A copy of the statement made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani said the engagement provided an opportunity for the CWG to brief STAR Ghana on key achievements, lessons learned, and emerging opportunities from the project.
It explained that STAR Ghana was funding the project implementation through its “Amplifying Voices for Inclusive Development” (AVID) Programme.
The statement expressed appreciation to the STAR Ghana for its continued partnership and support towards empowering smallholder cashew farmers and promoting inclusive participation in Ghana’s tree crops sector.
During the engagement, Mr Simon Asore, the Chair of the Functional Steering Committee of CWG highlighted significant milestones achieved under the AVCF Project.
The achievements include strengthening farmer organisations, enhancing farmers’ capacity to engage duty bearers, promoting accountability within the cashew value chain, and creating platforms for smallholder farmers to actively participate in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
It said a major area of discussion at the engagement was the growing impact of climate change on the nation’s cashew sector and the urgent need to support farmers to adapt to the challenges associated with changing climatic conditions.
Stakeholders acknowledged that climate variability, including irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged dry seasons, rising temperatures, and increasing environmental pressures, continues to affect cashew productivity, farm sustainability, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The statement called for the need for increased investment in climate-smart agriculture practices, farmer education, access to climate-resilient planting materials, improved land management practices, water conservation approaches, and strengthened extension support services to enable cashew farmers to better respond to climate-related risks.
The meeting also discussed the importance of integrating climate adaptation strategies into cashew sector development programmes.
That would ensure that farmers who were often affected by climate change impacts are empowered with the knowledge, tools, and resources required to build resilient farming systems.
It said addressing climate change ought to be a central component of efforts to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of Ghana’s cashew industry.
“The future of the nation’s cashew sector largely depends on our ability to support farmers to adapt to climate change.
Smallholder farmers are experiencing the effects of climate variability firsthand, and therefore their voices, experiences, and solutions must inform policies and interventions aimed at building a resilient agricultural sector,” the CWG leadership”, it stated.
The statement quoted Dr Andy Osei Okrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA emphasizing the importance of collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, and farmer groups in addressing emerging challenges within the tree crops sector.
He praised the STAR Ghana for supporting the implementation of the AVCF project and commended the CWG for creating platforms that enabled farmers to engage stakeholders and contribute to discussions on policies and practices that influence their livelihoods.
It said that the management of the STAR Ghana welcomed the engagement and commended CWG TCDA for the progress achieved under the AVCF Project.
“They reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote citizen participation, accountability, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development”, it added.
It explained that the AVCF Project was an initiative of the CWG that sought to strengthen the capacity of cashew farmers to participate effectively in decision-making processes.
The project further advocates policy interventions that promote sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, and inclusive growth within Ghana’s cashew value chain.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected],gh