The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described the first 120 days of President John Dramani Mahama’s government as an uninspiring one that is laced with failed promises and retardation across the various sectors.

Apart from being accused of what they referred to as “executive lawlessness”, the party also said President Mahama was superintending over a government that preached inclusiveness but was practicing divisiveness. 

At a press conference held at the NPP headquarters in Accra on Thursday to respond to President Mahama’s national address in which he gave an account of his first 120 days in office, the NPP stressed that the reset agenda promised by the NDC had become a breakdown of governance system and businesses. 

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, who addressed the press, accused the President of exercising “executive lawlessness” leading to the sacking of numerous civil servants and replacing them with persons affiliated with the NDC. 

“We now have two Ghana – one for the NDC and one for other Ghanaians. This was not the reset President Mahama promised Ghanaians, he stressed. 

Among the key issues he raised as constituting the basket of failed promises were failure to decisively deal with illegal mining; resurgence of power outages; failure to implement the 24-hour Economy policy; and failure to reduce import duties. 

The Minority Leader expressed reservation about what he described as the gradual collapse of businesses, weakening of the private sector, attack on the judiciary, and fragile security in the country. 

Galamsey 

During the peak of the campaign for the December 7, 2024 elections, there was heightened call by environmentalists, CSOs, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, and some labour unions for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency over the galamsey scourge. 

Environmental activists and other stakeholders also mounted pressures on the NPP administration to revoke the law that permits mining in forest reserves (L.I 2462), but that did not happen. 

In the heat of the campaign, the NDC presidential candidate (President Mahama) promised to repeal L.I 2462 when given the mandate. 

He also promomised to ban mining in forest reserves and take steps to restore the country’s degraded landscape. 

At the press conference, Mr Afenyo-Markin said it was worrying that after 120 days on office, President Mahama had failed to keep his promise on dealing with galamsey. 

“Illegal mining has flourished in the full glare of the President; foreigners involved in galamsey are deported instead of being prosecuted; he criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for not doing much about galamsey, but he is now giving excuses. He has failed to declare state of emergency,” he said. 

Dumsor

Additionally, he said after inheriting stable power supply, President Mahama had plunged the country into darkness, although he promised to improve on the power sector. 

“We have witnessed persistent power outages these 120 days of President Mahama, and we do not even know where our Minster of Energy and Green Transition is. We are using torchlights to search for our Energy Minister, but we cannot find him,” he said.

The Minority Leader said the erratic power supply situation in the country has forced some businesses to fold up while others were also suffocating. 

Mr Afenyo-Markin also said the 24-hour Economy policy the President promised Ghanaians had become mirage.

He said instead of building up on the one district, one factory (1D1F) industrialisation policy the previous government had implemented, President Mahama had abandoned it and was also not implementing the 24-hour economy.

Education and social policy

The Minority Leader said although President Mahama made a plethora of promises in the education and social sector, not much had been done in redeeming those commitments.

He cited commitments such as no-academic fee for all first year tertiary students, free tertiary education for persons with disability, and distribution of free sanitary pads to school girls as some of the failed promises.

“These were headline-grabbing pledges intended to ease burdens on students and parents. But how many of these have been truly fulfilled? The reality is stark: not a single first-year university student has received a fee-free education under this policy so far,” he said. 

Lean government

Mr Afenyo-Markins also alleged that despite the promise by President Mahama to run the leanest and most efficient government, more persons had been appointed to political positions than expected.  

“This government has gone to great lengths to create the impression that it is cutting down on expenditure by appointing fewer ministers.

They parade this move as an act of prudence and fiscal discipline, but in reality, it is nothing more than political theatre designed to deceive the Ghanaian people,” he said.

He indicated that “the supposed reduction in ministerial appointments had little to no impact on the ballooning cost of government.”

By Benard Worlali Awumee

Keta, (V/R), May 08, GNA – The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), under its Strengthening Accountability, Rule of Law, and Institutional Responsiveness in Ghana (SARIS) project, has landed in the Volta region.

The move aimed to intensify efforts to build grassroots capacity in the fight against corruption through a series of citizen training workshops across some selected Districts in the Region.

Funded by the European Union in Ghana, the initiative is designed to empower ordinary citizens to play an active role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance at the local level.

Following successful workshops in South Tongu and Ketu South Districts, where participants were educated on public financial management laws, types of corruption, and how to effectively report misconduct, the project has now moved to the Keta Municipality.

The two-day training session in Keta, which begins Thursday, 8th May 2025, is expected to bring together key community actors, including youth groups, civil society representatives, government officials and traditional leaders, among others.

Participants would be equipped with practical tools to monitor local governance processes and hold duty bearers accountable and also explore their roles in shaping a responsive and transparent public service environment.

In previous engagements, the CDD-Ghana team collaborated with local radio stations to broaden public outreach and spark community-wide dialogue on corruption and civic responsibility.

This series of workshops forms the second round of a similar project held with the same aim of Capacity Building Training on Public Financial Management and Anti-Corruption Sensitisation in July 2024

Facilitators, such as governance and Anti-corruption expert, Mr. Senanu Edem, emphasised that changing public perception around accountability is critical to Ghana’s democratic progress.

“The aim is to build a network of informed citizens who are not only aware of the laws but are ready to act when those laws are breached,” Mr. Edem noted.

Participants in earlier sessions expressed renewed confidence in their ability to identify and challenge corruption within their communities.

“We are now better informed and can speak up against wrongdoing,” one trainee in Ketu South affirmed.

The Keta workshop marks a significant step in the broader campaign to strengthen democratic governance in Ghana, particularly in underserved areas. With eight workshops planned under the SARIS project, CDD-Ghana remains committed to fostering a citizen-led movement for accountability.

GNA

MA/KOA

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, has acknowledged the impact of Ghana’s improved gold reserve initiated by the previous government.

According to him, this reserve is helping to stabilise the cedi against foreign currencies.

In an interview with Joy News, the new Governor said the Central Bank now has enough gold reserve.

“Going forward, we have enough reserves to maintain the current stability the cedi is enjoying against the US dollar,” he said.

Dr Asiama’s revelation that the Bank of Ghana has adequate gold reserves vindicates Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s strong proposition for the Bank of Ghana to commence a gold purchasing initiative to boost Ghana’s gold reserve.

The former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Bawumia argued that an improved gold reserve by the Central Bank is key to stabilising the country’s currency and, in 2022, following the depreciation of the cedis, he launched the Bank of Ghana’s gold purchasing initiative which has boosted Ghana’s gold reserve after three years.

Ghana’s gold reserves, at the time that Dr Bawumia introduced the Central Bank’s gold purchasing programme, was a paltry 8 tonnes but had significantly increased by more than threefold to 30.5 tonnes when the previous government handed over in January 2025.

This significant rise in Ghana’s gold reserves through the gold purchasing agreement which the current government has sustained through the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), coupled with global impact of the United States’ trade war which has weakened the US Dollar, have been cited by experts as factors contributing to the recent strength of the cedi.

The Bank of Ghana’s gold purchasing programme also helped the country to successfully implement the “Gold for Oil” programme aimed at stabilising both the cedi and fuel prices.

AME

Professor John Gatsi, Dean of the School of Business at the University of Cape Coast

The performance of President John Dramani Mahama in the delivery of his ‘social contract’ with the people of Ghana in the first 120 days in office is “remarkable,” says Professor John Gatsi.

President Mahama took office on the back of the implementation of a US$3 billion loan-supported programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.

Within the 120-days, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) withdrew its support to Ghana, creating US$156m funding gap, while the US Government also imposed 10 per cent tariff on the country.

However, the Professor of Finance, in an exclusive interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the Government had demonstrated commitment towards restoring and resetting the economy to ensure stability and progress.

“From day one, the agenda is being rolled out progressively and steadily, in a manner that touches every facet of the economy, good governance, young people, economic entrepreneurship and business development, reforms of institutions, and reform of the Constitution,” he noted.

Professor Gatsi lauded the Government for its moderate approach to expenditure and focus on value for money, a gesture he said would help create the needed stable macroeconomic environment to propel business development.

He noted that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares), launched last Tuesday, for example, would help address critical health needs of citizens, citing the President’s experience in governance as a contribution to his current “excellent” performance.

Professor Gatsi, the Dean of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Business School, urged the Government to remain steadfast in maintaining the momentum in rolling out initiatives and ensuring their full implementation.

“The successful rollout of initiatives should be maintained across multiple sectors of the Ghanaian society,” he said, calling for sustained-stable economic environment going forward.

“This will provide multiple benefits: a resilient and better economy, lower inflation, a steady and stable generating environment, and then lower interest rates that will govern business development in the country,” he stated.

He said the actions of the Government in the 120-days had provided the stage for a more comprehensive economic agenda in the days ahead.

Professor Gatsi was confident that when the “standard” was kept, the outcomes would benefit citizens through export progress, skills development for young people, and improved governance through transparency and accountability.

Already, the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), has commended the Government for stabilising the cedi against its major trading currencies [Dollar, Pounds and Euro] since January 2025.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has indicated that as of May 6, 2025, US$1 was bought at GH¢13.64 and sold for GH¢13.65; £1 was bought at GH¢18.11 and sold for GH¢18.13, while €1 was bought at GH¢15.42 and sold for GH¢15.44.

As of January 6, 2025, US$1 was bought at GH¢14.74 and sold for GH¢14.75; £1 was bought at GH¢18.26 and sold for GH¢18.28, while €1 was bought at GH¢15.15 and sold for GH¢15.17.

The stability over the past five months, GUTA said, had brought some level of respite and confidence to the economy, enabling the business community to recoup some of the lost capital in the past few years due to depreciation and exchange rate pressures.

“These prudent measures, if sustained, would lead to full economic recovery and make businesses competitive, increase productivity, as well as alleviate the high cost of living in the country,” it said in a statement copied to GNA on Tuesday.

President Mahama, who served as Ghana’s President from 2012 to 2017, returned to office on January 7, 2025, providing an 11-page document, with 26 itemised promises to fulfil as a social contract in his first 120 days.

The Cedi gained nearly 16% against the US dollar since the beginning of the month

The Ghanaian cedi has been named the world’s best-performing currency in April 2025, gaining nearly 16% against the US dollar since the beginning of the month, according to Bloomberg.

This significant appreciation has brought relief to Ghana’s economy, helping to curb inflation and strengthen consumer confidence. As of May 8, 2025, the cedi is trading at GH¢13.4 to the dollar, its strongest level in months. The currency’s rally has contributed to a notable drop in inflation.

Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, on May 7, 2025, announced that consumer price inflation fell to 21.2% in April, down from 22.4% in March, marking the lowest level in eight months. Monthly inflation also slowed to 0.8%, largely driven by reduced import costs due to the cedi’s strength.

“A rally in the cedi reduced the cost of imports,” Dr Iddrisu noted, attributing much of the inflation relief to the local currency’s strong performance.

According to Bloomberg data, the cedi outpaced every other global currency in April in terms of gains against the US dollar. This marks a major turnaround for a currency that had faced steep depreciation amid Ghana’s economic crisis just over a year ago.

Despite the positive developments, some economists have urged caution.

According Dr. Agyapomaa Gyeke-Dako, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, believes the Bank of Ghana will likely maintain its tight monetary stance in the short term.

“It tightened at its last meeting to mop up any excess liquidity. So now the central bank action going forward may not readily reduce the monetary policy rate yet because there might still be some threats to inflation coming from the hikes in utility prices,” she is quoted by Bloomberg.

Additionally, a senior credit analyst at REDD Intelligence said the Bank of Ghana may also be reluctant to ease policy as “easier monetary conditions could rekindle inflationary pressures.”

In March this year, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana raised the policy rate by 100 basis points to 28% to control inflation.

While the central bank has signaled its readiness to adjust policy based on inflation trends, it remains cautious about premature easing.

ID/MA

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Steph Curry

THE GOLDEN State Warriors opened their NBA Western Conference semi-final series with a 99–88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the victory came at a cost.

Star guard Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and was forced off the court before halftime. The 37-year-old clutched the back of his left leg following a defensive play and attempted to continue before signalling to the bench for a substitution.

Curry, a two-time MVP and key figure in the Warriors’ postseason campaign, is now a major doubt for game two, scheduled for Friday, 9 May (01:30 BST). The team awaits scan results to determine the extent of the injury.

“We’re definitely game-planning for him to not be available for game two, but we don’t know yet,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “With a hamstring, it’s hard to imagine he would play. I talked to him at half-time—he’s crushed.”

In Curry’s absence, the Warriors rallied impressively. Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green stepped up, combining for 62 points to seal the win on the road.

Despite the result, concern for Curry’s fitness overshadowed post-game celebrations, with his leadership and scoring prowess critical to Golden State’s playoff hopes.

The Warriors will now have to brace for at least one game without their talisman, hoping his recovery is swift and the damage minimal.

Ghana’s Black Satellites take on Central African Republic (CAR) on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in their final Group B match at the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The game kicks off at 3:00 PM GMT and, while Ghana have already secured qualification to the quarterfinals, a win today would see them cement top spot in the group.

This will be the first-ever U-20 AFCON meeting between Ghana and CAR, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter.

Desmond Ofei’s side head into the match brimming with confidence after a statement 1-0 win over defending champions Senegal in their second group outing.

That victory followed a 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening game, meaning Ghana remain unbeaten in the tournament.

For CAR, it’s been a difficult campaign. They are winless in their last five competitive matches, with three losses and two draws, including a hard-fought stalemate against Senegal earlier in the group.

Ghana are expected to make a few changes to the lineup, having already sealed a place in the knockout stage, but the focus remains on finishing strong and building momentum for the quarterfinals.

Follow the live updates of the game below:

FKA/MA

President John Dramani Mahama

The recommendations emanating from the National Economic Dialogue are beginning to yield positive results for the Ghanaian economy, providing the path for the country’s economic growth.

Addressing the nation in a televised speech on Wednesday to mark the Government’s first 120 days in office, President John Dramani Mahama highlighted the crucial step provided through the dialogue in understanding the state of the economy and building consensus on the path forward.

Convened on March 3 – 4 at the Accra International Conference Centre, the dialogue brought together a wide array of stakeholders; private sector, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, and academia to deliberate on revamping the economy.

They gave a comprehensive report and clear recommendations, which aims at restoring macroeconomic stability and boosting confidence in the local economy.

“The implementation of these recommendations is already underway and is showing promising signs,” President Mahama said.

“The currency is becoming fairly stable, inflation is inching downwards, and we have reduced the excessive borrowing that had become a trademark of past governments,” he added.

President Mahama pointed to the amendment of the Public Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921) to introduce a debt rule aimed at reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 45 percent by 2024.

It is also to establish an operational rule for an annual primary surplus of at least 1.5 percent of GDP.

The amendment, he emphasised, allowed for the creation of an independent fiscal council to monitor adherence to those rules, which was executed ahead of the September deadline under the IMF-supported programme.

President Mahama underscored the significance of the sanctions now associated with breaches of fiscal rules, extending responsibility beyond the Minister of Finance to all heads of government entities contributing to fiscal slippages.

The National Economic Dialogue also provided valuable advice on promoting industrialised agriculture and aligning skills development with national priorities, areas the President affirmed his government was taking seriously.

He highlighted the successful repeal of the e-levy, the levy on betting winnings, and the emissions levy, as promised within the first 90 days.

He expressed confidence that the continued implementation of the recommendations would lead to a more stable, prosperous, and resilient Ghanaian economy.

The President noted that the stalled efforts to abolish other tax measures like the COVID levy was due to the existing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Thus, the COVID-19 levy would be included in the overall VAT rationalisation exercise scheduled for September, he said.

In the heart of Ghana’s Northern Region, a mushroom agribusiness is rewriting the narrative of rural entrepreneurship, job creation, and women’s empowerment. DeliMush, a beneficiary of the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) and Mastercard Foundation, is not only producing gourmet mushroom products but also growing opportunities for women and youth.

Founded with a vision to transform the mushroom value chain, DeliMush has carved out a niche in processing fresh, locally cultivated mushrooms into healthy, plant-based food products. These include mushrooms in tomato, pepper and onion sauce—catering to a rising demand among health-conscious consumers. But the business model goes far beyond food.

“At DeliMush, we’re not just processing mushrooms, we’re preserving livelihoods, promoting wellness, and proving that sustainable, plant-based innovation can start right at the farm gate. Our goal is to nourish people and empower smallholder mushroom farmers,” said Aisha Abdallah, Co-founder of DeliMush.

With funding and technical support from KIC and the Mastercard Foundation’s Initiative for Youth in Agricultural Transformation (IYAT), the enterprise has expanded into training and capacity-building for rural women. These training programmes equip participants with skills in mushroom cultivation, packaging, and business management, providing them with pathways to sustainable income and self-reliance.

Several of the trained women have launched their own mini mushroom farms, becoming part of DeliMush’s growing supply network. The model provides a stable market for their produce, enabling them to reinvest in their households and communities while contributing to food security and environmental sustainability.

Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC, praised the initiative’s community-centred approach: “When we invest in businesses that are rooted in community needs, the results are transformational. DeliMush is proof that sustainability and innovation can uplift entire communities.”

The ripple effects are evident—more inclusive local economies, reduced rural unemployment, and increased participation of women in agribusiness. By combining eco-friendly practices with social enterprise principles, DeliMush exemplifies a new wave of agribusinesses focused on impact as much as income.

As the partnership between KIC and Mastercard Foundation continues, more young entrepreneurs are expected to benefit from mentorship, funding, and business development opportunities under the IYAT programme—further strengthening the agricultural value chains in underserved regions.

Ghana’s consumer inflation has continued its downward trend for the fourth straight month, falling to 21.2% in April 2025 from 22.4% in March, according to the latest data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

By Maxwell Awumah

Ho, May 8, GNA – Mr. Francis Lamptey, Chief Manager of the Volta Regional Directorate of the Ghana Water Limited has asked workers across the country to uphold the social contract of employment with diligence and execute their task with greater dedication to actualize the gains of national development.

He entreated employees to always seek academic progression to stay afloat and become highly relevant on the job market.

Mr Lamptey disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency, in an interview after he received a national award on May Day.

The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ghana, has bestowed a national award on Brother Francis Lamptey, for his premium contribution to Unionism, which was presented by President John Dramani Mahama, at the May Day event in Accra.

The citation signed by Brother Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of TUC, read, “For your invaluable contribution to the Union as the first Senior Staff Union (SSU) National Divisional Chairman of the Ghana Water Limited, now a Chief Manager,” we honour you.

Mr Lamptey said hard work pays and at the time was only performing his duties diligently and never expected recognition as a national reward to be bestowed on him.

He said from the foregoing, “people are watching and observing our moves at the workplace,” and called on workers to embrace union activities as a fulcrum for progress and development.

Chief Manager Lamptey is a highly experienced Engineer specialising in the water sector, an esteemed member of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the International Academy of Project Managers, the Project Management Institute Global, and the Chartered Institute of Administration and Management Consultants.

His diverse expertise is backed by a solid educational background and extensive professional experience.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Ghana. His post-graduate qualifications include a certificate in International Professional Negotiator from the University of Professional Studies, Ghana, and a certification as an International Project Manager from the International Academy of Project Management. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Geodetic Engineering from KNUST.

The recipient, with over 24-year wealth of experience has held several key positions including Head of Digital Mapping and GIS, Project Engineer for Brong Ahafo Region, Area Project

Manager for Central, Western, and Volta Regions, and Distribution Manager for various regions such as Central, Accra West, Brong Ahafo, and Tema.

He was the Ag. Regional Chief Manager for Tema Region before his transfer to the Volta Region as Regional Chief Manager in the past three-years.

Ing. Lamptey has further enriched his expertise through participation in more than 20 local and international training courses and workshops pertinent to the water sector. Key training includes managing and financing urban water and sanitation at Cranfield University, Bedford, England; certified international project manager training at A.M.C. International, South Africa; and total quality management with CIAMC, Ghana.

Ing. Lamptey is particularly passionate about accelerating water supply infrastructure development to improve access in underserved regions.

He is married with two children.

GNA

MA/KOA

The Cedi gained nearly 16% against the US dollar since the beginning of the month

The Ghanaian cedi has been named the world’s best-performing currency in April 2025, gaining nearly 16% against the US dollar since the beginning of the month, according to Bloomberg.

This significant appreciation has brought relief to Ghana’s economy, helping to curb inflation and strengthen consumer confidence. As of May 8, 2025, the cedi is trading at GH¢13.4 to the dollar, its strongest level in months. The currency’s rally has contributed to a notable drop in inflation.

Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, on May 7, 2025, announced that consumer price inflation fell to 21.2% in April, down from 22.4% in March, marking the lowest level in eight months. Monthly inflation also slowed to 0.8%, largely driven by reduced import costs due to the cedi’s strength.

“A rally in the cedi reduced the cost of imports,” Dr Iddrisu noted, attributing much of the inflation relief to the local currency’s strong performance.

According to Bloomberg data, the cedi outpaced every other global currency in April in terms of gains against the US dollar. This marks a major turnaround for a currency that had faced steep depreciation amid Ghana’s economic crisis just over a year ago.

Despite the positive developments, some economists have urged caution.

According Dr. Agyapomaa Gyeke-Dako, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, believes the Bank of Ghana will likely maintain its tight monetary stance in the short term.

“It tightened at its last meeting to mop up any excess liquidity. So now the central bank action going forward may not readily reduce the monetary policy rate yet because there might still be some threats to inflation coming from the hikes in utility prices,” she is quoted by Bloomberg.

Additionally, a senior credit analyst at REDD Intelligence said the Bank of Ghana may also be reluctant to ease policy as “easier monetary conditions could rekindle inflationary pressures.”

In March this year, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Ghana raised the policy rate by 100 basis points to 28% to control inflation.

While the central bank has signaled its readiness to adjust policy based on inflation trends, it remains cautious about premature easing.

ID/MA

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In Ghana, smallholders are responsible for managing approximately 81% of the country’s oil palm

A new global report is calling for a radical transformation of palm oil procurement practices to ensure fairer returns for smallholder farmers across West Africa.

The Palm Oil Barometer 2025: Procurement for Prosperity, released by Solidaridad and endorsed by various smallholder representatives and agricultural experts, highlights the urgent need for equitable value distribution in the palm oil sector.

The report underscores the central role of oil palm in food security and livelihoods in West Africa, describing it as a crop with the potential to lift farming families out of poverty within a generation.

Despite this promise, smallholder farmers, who dominate the region’s oil palm production, continue to receive a disproportionately low share of profits.

In Ghana, smallholders are responsible for managing approximately 81% of the country’s oil palm cultivation area, yet many face challenges such as low yields and poor access to formal markets. Similar issues persist across the region.

In Nigeria, where smallholders account for 80% of national palm oil production, farmers continue to rely on outdated processing techniques and struggle with limited infrastructure.

Côte d’Ivoire’s smallholders manage 73% of oil palm land, while in Sierra Leone, about 70% of palm oil is produced by small-scale farmers, many of whom depend on harvesting wild palm groves.

The report also noted a regional imbalance as West Africa consumes more palm oil than it produces, forcing many countries to rely heavily on imports.

This shortfall, coupled with systemic barriers such as limited access to inputs and capital, restricts smallholders from boosting production and contributing more significantly to national food security.

“Governments and industry, in collaboration with sustainability certification platforms, need to adopt a new business model for engagement, organisational development, and capacity building that supports improved access to inputs and markets for independent smallholder farmers,” it mentioned.

The Palm Oil Barometer 2025 identifies the unequal distribution of value along the supply chain as a core issue preventing smallholders from fully benefiting from the global palm oil trade.

The report raises critical questions about the viability of sustainable production if farmers cannot secure fair compensation or invest in climate-resilient practices.

It noted that, “Smallholders in Africa, are particularly vulnerable to volatile market prices and the increasing impact of climate change, which puts their already precarious incomes at further risk.”

The report therefore calls on policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability bodies to rethink procurement strategies and ensure that those at the foundation of the supply chain, smallholder farmers, are not left behind.

SSD/MA