ACA praised for role in cashew development

Stakeholders of Ghana’s cashew sector have commended the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) for their enormous support and contribution towards the growth and development of the sector.

 

According to them, the ACA has played a major role in reviving the industry, especially by providing technical support and advice.

 

Speaking at an event to officially outdoor the Cashew Council Ghana(CCG) in Techiman last Thursday 15th October 2020, cashew producer and a Board Member of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Chief Adams Tampuri, said the ACA played an important role in establishing both the TCDA and the CCG. According to him, the ACA has over the years demonstrated a high level of commitment and dedication towards developing the tree crops subsector, explaining that their services to both members and non-members were commendable. “I have never seen an organization that is down to earth and committed to developing the cashew sector like ACA,” he said.         

 

For the President of Cashew Traders Association, Mr. Alex Owusu Adjei, the ACA has over the years played an intermediary role among the various value chain actor associations. “The ACA is like arbitrators for us when it comes to farmers, processors and traders’ conflicts always sitting to ensure that things are done in the right perspectives,” he said in an interview after the launch of the CCG. According to him, the ACA’s continued engagements with members of the sector as well as frequent updating and enlightening of members on the global cashew trends and international policies on cashew helps actors to make informed decisions while also putting national discussions into context. “They discuss with members to understand that this is of integral benefit to all, that is why we should do this,” he said.

 

The African Cashew Alliance was established in 2006 as an association of African and international businesses with an interest in promoting a globally competitive African cashew industry. Today, over 100 member companies work under the ACA banner and represent all aspects of the cashew value chain, including producers, processors, traders, and international buyers.

 

With a strong interest in increasing local processing of cashew through investment promotion and technical support services, the ACA facilitates networking among members and offer timely information on the sector, facilitate food safety standards while also advocating for sector improvements and partnerships.