The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has engaged a high-level delegation from the Nigerian National Defense College as part of a regional study tour aimed at examining Ghana’s cocoa sector and its contribution to national economic growth.
The delegation, made up of 29 participants, visited the Ministry in Accra on Monday, March 10, 2026, to gain practical insights into Ghana’s cocoa industry and to learn lessons that could support policy development and strategic planning in Nigeria.
The team was received by the Director for Agribusiness at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Kwame Oppong-Ntim, together with other directors and senior officials of the Ministry.
Leading the delegation, Tahir S. Ngada explained that the visit formed part of the College’s academic programme under the theme “Cocoa Production and Economic Growth in Ghana: Lessons to Nigeria.”
He indicated that the study tour is designed to expose participants to practical development models within the West African region and to deepen their understanding of how strategic sectors such as agriculture can support economic transformation.
According to him, the Nigerian National Defence College, established in 1992, provides advanced leadership training for senior officers from the armed forces, security agencies and public institutions from several countries.
He noted that the regional study tour complements classroom instruction by giving participants real-world exposure to sectors that influence national power, including diplomacy, security, information systems and economic development.
During a presentation to the delegation, Mr. Oppong-Ntim explained that while the management and regulation of cocoa production in Ghana falls under the mandate of the Ghana Cocoa Board, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry plays a key role in promoting value addition, facilitating investments and expanding markets for cocoa-based products.
He noted that the Ministry works closely with institutions such as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Ghana Free Zones Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority to attract investment into agro-processing, improve the business environment and ensure that Ghana’s exports meet international quality standards.
As part of Ghana’s broader industrialisation agenda, he said government is intensifying efforts to increase the local processing of cocoa beans into finished products such as chocolate, cocoa powder and other value-added derivatives.
He explained that the strategy is aimed at increasing export revenue, creating employment opportunities and strengthening Ghana’s position within the global cocoa value chain.
The engagement also featured an interactive session during which members of the delegation sought clarification on issues including investment opportunities in cocoa processing, land tenure systems, government support for farmers and measures to maintain economic stability.
Responding to the questions, officials of the Ministry outlined various interventions designed to support cocoa farmers, including the provision of agricultural inputs, extension services and productivity incentives instead of direct financial transfers.
They also emphasized that government continues to promote private sector participation in cocoa processing, noting that most cocoa processing companies in Ghana are privately owned while the state focuses on creating a favourable environment for investment.
Officials further acknowledged that illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, pose a serious threat to cocoa production in certain parts of the country.
They explained that the destruction of cocoa farms through such activities has contributed to declining output in recent years, but government is strengthening efforts through coordinated action among state institutions and local communities to protect cocoa-growing areas.
The visit forms part of a broader academic program by the Nigerian National Defense College aimed at enabling participants to study Ghana’s cocoa sector and draw lessons that could guide policy formulation and economic planning in Nigeria and other participating countries.
Source: Elvisanokye.com