Government targets 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations

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Government targets 100,000 hectares of new oil palm plantations

The government has announced plans to support the establishment of 100,000 hectares of new oil palm plantations as part of efforts to increase domestic production, create jobs and reduce Ghana’s reliance on imported palm oil.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, announced the plan at the National Oil Palm Multi-stakeholder Roundtable Forum in Accra on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

He said the expansion programme would form part of a broader strategy to move Ghana’s oil palm industry from policy commitments to practical implementation, with clear targets and measurable results.

The forum was held under the theme, From Policy to Practice: The Role of TCDA in Resetting Ghana’s Oil Palm Industry, and brought together government officials, farmers, processors, investors, research institutions, development partners, traditional authorities and other stakeholders in the oil palm value chain.

Government focuses on implementation

Mr Opoku said Ghana has developed several agricultural policies and studies over the years, but stressed that the priority should now be on implementation, coordination and accountability.

“Policy acquires value only when it changes lives, the Minister said, urging stakeholders at the forum to agree on clear responsibilities, timelines, resources and measurable targets.

He described oil palm as a strategic crop because of its contribution to both agriculture and industry.

The sector supports farmers, nursery operators, transporters, processors, traders and manufacturers, while also creating opportunities for women and young people.

Palm products are also used as raw materials in several industries, including soap and cosmetics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, confectionery, animal feed and bioenergy.

Oil palm deficit creates economic opportunities

Ghana continues to face a gap between domestic palm oil production and national demand, resulting in the importation of significant quantities of palm oil.

Mr Opoku said the deficit should not be viewed only as a supply challenge, arguing that it also represents lost employment opportunities, underutilised processing capacity and reduced incomes for farmers.

He added that the country loses foreign exchange that could otherwise remain within the domestic economy.

According to the Minister, the situation also creates opportunities for smuggling and unfair competition, which can undermine legitimate businesses and reduce government revenue.

He therefore said increasing domestic production should be accompanied by measures to strengthen the entire value chain, from production and processing to marketing.

TCDA to lead industry transformation

Mr Opoku identified the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), as a key institution in Ghana’s oil palm transformation agenda.

The Authority is expected to strengthen registration and licensing, production planning, industry data collection, traceability, quality assurance and coordination among stakeholders.

The Minister said formalisation should not be regarded by businesses as an administrative burden but as a foundation for credibility, investor confidence, traceability and access to premium markets.

He added that the government would support the TCDA in enforcing industry standards fairly and consistently to protect compliant businesses, consumers and the reputation of Ghanaian palm oil.

100,000-hectare target goes beyond acreage

Mr Opoku stressed that the proposed expansion of 100,000 hectares should not be measured solely by the amount of land cultivated.

He said the success of the programme would depend on the quality of planting materials, farm productivity, farmer incomes and the participation of smallholder farmers, women and young people.

Other factors, he noted, include secure land arrangements, environmental protection, access to finance, processing efficiency and stronger market linkages.

The Minister also called for greater access to high-yielding, climate-resilient and disease-tolerant planting materials.

He said this would require stronger research, certified nurseries, effective extension services and improved farm management practices.

The government’s proposed expansion is therefore expected to form part of a broader effort to strengthen Ghana’s oil palm value chain, increase domestic production and create more economic opportunities for farmers, workers and businesses.