Cashew processors receive training to boost local processing and exports

The Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Programme Phase Two is emphasizing the importance of investing in skills development and technology to bolster Ghana's cashew processing industry and enhance its competitiveness in the sub-region. Juliana Karikari, Team Lead of the programme, stresses the significance of equipping industry players to improve processing efficiency, meet export standards, and lessen the country's dependence on raw cashew nuts exports.

This call emerged during the inauguration of the inaugural competency-based training program for Ghana's cashew processing sector.

The one-week pilot program, developed by the University of Cape Coast with support from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, SECO, GPSCP Phase Two, and Usibras Ghana Limited, was conceived after the Cashew Processors Association of Ghana identified skills and operational gaps in the industry. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic training and practical industry needs.

Team Lead of GPSCP Phase Two, Juliana Karikari, states that the training will elevate the sector's competitiveness by aligning participants' learning with their daily work responsibilities. The GPSCP II team views training as worthwhile only if it results in positive outcomes. Professor Michael Osei Adu, Deputy Director at the University of Cape Coast's Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, anticipates the training to create a substantial impact on the cashew industry and diminish the export of raw cashew nuts.

Thirty participants, all members of the Cashew Processors Association of Ghana, have enrolled in the program from across the nation. Industry stakeholders believe that this initiative could be a significant step towards strengthening local processing capacity and retaining more value from Ghana's cashew production. The success of the pilot program may serve as a foundation for additional skills development in the sector, as Ghana strives to enhance local cashew processing, create more value-added opportunities, and fortify its standing in the regional export market.