The much-anticipated Ghana Coffee Week 2024 event kicked off at the Alisa Hotel on October 21, marking a significant step towards the revitalization of Ghana’s coffee industry with a focus on Robusta coffee.

Ghana’s Robusta coffee, an important but often overlooked cash crop in the country’s agricultural landscape, known for its rich, earthy flavor and higher caffeine content compared to Arabica coffee.

With a strategy to market Ghana Robusta as a high-quality alternative in the global coffee market, the sector is poised for significant growth, contributing to the country’s agricultural diversity and economic development.

Themed “Boosting Ghana’s Coffee Sector for Sustainable Economic Growth,” the event brought together government officials, industry leaders and international partners to explore the vast potential of the local coffee market.

Opening the ceremony, the National Coordinator of the ITC Alliances for Action Program, Mr. Larry Attipoe, highlighted the evolution of the coffee sector and its contribution to the Ghanaian economy.

“Now the importance of what we are doing today is that we are drawing attention to an important and evolving strategic sector of our economy. I say evolving because a few years ago the government made a bold statement to elevate coffee to a higher status than it had before” is currently and sets some very ambitious goals to stimulate us all to work together to, so to speak, across the industry, give us. “itself another very important strategic harvest in the global market,” he said.

The Deputy Director General of Agronomy and Quality Control of COCOBOD, Dr. Ebenezer Owusu, described the coffee sector as “an additional pathway to a prosperous and sustainable future for our farmers, our communities, stakeholders in the value chain and the nation as a whole.”

He added that the government is committed to developing the potential of the coffee sector while working collaboratively with stakeholders including farmers, cooperatives, processors, investors and consumers to create a vibrant coffee industry in Ghana, Africa and the international community.

He noted that COCOBOD’s role in promoting coffee production includes scientific research, grading and certification of coffee. “The Ghana Cocoa Research Institute focuses on the development of high-yielding varieties, disease and pest control, and market dynamics,” he explained.

On his part, the Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Ghana, Mr. Massimo Mina, said the launch of Ghana Coffee Week is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness, foster collaborations, develop opportunities for added value, sustainable practices and increase local coffee consumption. .

He added that cash crops represent a crucial source of income for the poorest segments of the world’s population. Noting that 2.7 million tonnes of coffee from third countries for the year 2023 alone were valued at 10.6 billion euros.

Vice President of the Ghana Coffee Federation, Samuel Adimado, noted that the Federation will continue to play its role in helping partners “identify those who may need financial assistance to expand their coffee businesses.”

The launch also saw the premiere of the documentary ‘Rebirth of Ghana’s Coffee Industry: A Story of Heritage and Sustainability’, showcasing the country’s rich coffee heritage and its journey towards sustainable practices.

With coffee tastings and networking opportunities, the launch paved the way for Ghana’s first coffee fair and exhibition. The week-long event aims to foster market linkages and promote Ghana’s emerging coffee culture, thereby enhancing the sector’s potential to drive economic growth and create livelihoods.

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