The much-anticipated 2024 Ghana Coffee Week event kicked off at the Alisa Hotel on October 21st, marking a significant step toward revitalizing Ghana’s coffee industry with a focus on Robusta coffee.
Ghana’s Robusta coffee, a significant yet often overlooked cash crop on the country’s agricultural landscape, known for its rich, earthy flavor and higher caffeine content compared to Arabica coffee.
With a strategic push to market Ghana’s Robusta as a high-quality alternative in the global coffee market, the sector is poised for significant growth, contributing to the country’s agricultural diversity and economic development.
Under the theme “Boosting Ghana’s Coffee Sector for Sustainable Economic Growth,” the event brought together government officials, industry leaders, and international partners to explore the vast potential of the local coffee market.
Opening the ceremony, National Programme Coordinator, ITC Alliances for Action, Mr. Larry Attipoe highlighted the evolving Coffee sector and its contribution to the Ghanaian economy.
“Now the significance of what we are doing today is that We are drawing attention to an important evolving strategic sector of our economy. I say evolving because a few years ago, the government made a bold declaration to elevate coffee to a higher status than it is at the moment and gives some very ambitious targets to stimulate all of us work together to as it were through the industry give us ourselves another very important crop of strategy in the Global Market,” he said.
Deputy Chief Executive of Agronomy and Quality Control of COCOBOD, Dr. Ebenezer Owusu, described the coffee sector as “an additional pathway to a prosperous and sustainable future for our farmers, communities, value chain actors and the nation as a whole.”
He added that government is committed to nurturing the potential of the coffee sector while working collaboratively with stakeholders including farmers, cooperatives, processors, investors, and consumers to create a vibrant coffee industry in Ghana, Africa and the international community.
He noted that the role of COCOBOD in promoting coffee production includes scientific research, grading, and certification of coffee. “The Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana focuses on developing high-yielding varieties, disease and pest control, and market dynamics,” he explained.
For his part, European Union Delegation (EUD) Ghana Head of Cooperation, Mr. Massimo Mina averred that the Ghana Coffee Week Launch is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness, foster collaborations, grow opportunities for value additions, sustainable practices and increase local coffee consumption.
He added that the cash crop represents a crucial source of income for the poorest segments of the world’s population. Noting that 2.7 million tonnes of coffee from non-EU countries in 2023 alone were valued at 10.6 billion Euros.
Vice President of the Coffee Federation Ghana, Samuel Adimado noted that the Federation will continue to play its role in helping partners “identify those who may need the financial help to grow their coffee businesses”.
The launch also saw the premiere of the documentary “Rebirth of Ghana’s Coffee Industry: A Story of Heritage and Sustainability”, showcasing the country’s rich coffee heritage and its journey toward sustainable practices.
With coffee tastings and networking opportunities, the launch set the stage for the inaugural Ghana Coffee Fair and Exhibition. The week-long event aims to foster market linkages and promote Ghana’s emerging coffee culture, reinforcing the sector’s potential to drive economic growth and create livelihoods.
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