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Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana holds consultative dialogue in Accra
The Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana on Wednesday held a consultative dialogue in Accra aimed at developing an effective action plan to address the challenges of the soya sector.
Held under the theme: “A National Soya Strategy Plan for Ghana’s Economy: Influencing Policy for a Soya –Business Agenda ” it was organised by the Association in collaboration with GIZ under the Sustainable Employment Agribusiness Programme (AgriBiz)
The event emphasised the significance of fostering collaboration with government agencies, development partners, farmers and similar stakeholders to enhance profitability and make a positive contribution to the overall economic growth of Ghana and guarantee food security.
In an interview the Ghanaian Times, Mr. Thomas W. Bello, Chairman, Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana, highlighted the importance of a comprehensive national strategy plan to establish a clear roadmap for the long-term growth of the country’s soy industry.
He said the association had hosted a consultative meeting last year which revolved around the theme “Laying the foundations for sustainability after 2024” to streamline the soya sub-sector.
Mr. Bello said the objective was to gather input and insights regarding the proposed ban on the exportation of soya from Ghana.
He said a position paper was formulated during a soybean roundtable in 2022 that urged the government to establish a national strategy plan and reassess the composition of the export control committee, among other recommendations.
It subsequently petitioned parliament, urging a review of the legislation that governs the selection process for members of the export control committee.
He said the move aimed at contributing to the economic growth of Ghana.
“If the country looks at soya as a cash crop, it could generate income up to the level of cocoa or even more,” he said.
“And so, this is a very great potential revenue earner for the country.”
Mr. Afrifa noted that the lack of proper coordination among industry actors such as development partners, government agencies, and the private sector within the soy value chain was leading to a limited impact on the overall sector.
“We’re here to look at a national strategy plan for soya; this is because everybody is trying to do something here, something there, and we are not getting the impact.”
If Ghana considered soya a lucrative agricultural product, he said, it had the potential to generate income comparable to, or even surpassing, that of cocoa.
He urged policymakers to capitalise on this significant opportunity to generate substantial revenue and reap the numerous benefits of the growing global demand for soy.
He also urged both the government and farmers to recognise the immense potential of cultivating soybeans to diversify Ghana’s economy and increase export earnings.
However, Mr. Dominic Ayine, Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central and chairman of the subsidiary legislation committee of parliament, advised that the process should begin from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which is holding jurisdiction over it.
The consultative meeting called for establishment of a formal collaboration with stakeholder organisations like the Alliance for the Green Revolution in Africa, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana Tourism Authority is leading Ghana’s participation at ITB Berlin, which opened in Berlin with a vibrant national pavilion highlighting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, tourism destinations and investment opportunities.
March 5 has been designated as Ghana Day, a special platform to promote Ghana’s languages, cuisine, Kente, festivals and business prospects to the global tourism community. The stand has already drawn strong interest with traditional arts and crafts displays, immersive multimedia presentations and popular Ghanaian snacks.
Seven private-sector players are exhibiting alongside government officials as part of efforts to deepen trade partnerships, expand market access, and attract investment across the hospitality, heritage tourism, ecotourism, and creative arts sectors.
Ahead of the official opening, the Ghana delegation also engaged young Ghanaian investors in Germany in collaboration with V Afrika-Verein and the Ghana Embassy, strengthening diaspora investment linkages and highlighting opportunities within the tourism value chain.
Ghana’s coordinated presence at ITB Berlin 2026 reinforces its strategy to position the country as the Gateway to Africa and a competitive destination for leisure travel and global investment.
