Ghana Set To Grow And Drink More Coffee – CoffeeTalk

In Ghana, coffee producer Asili Coffee is leading a movement to reshape rural development and socio-economic change in the region. John Nana Addo Francois, the visionary behind Asili Coffee, is part of a broader initiative under the ACP Business-Friendly program, funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) States. Implemented by the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Alliances for Action, this initiative aims to boost Ghana’s coffee production and consumption, with Akuapem Ridge at the center of this vision.

The Pilot Coffee Incubator Programme, launched in Akropong, aims to make growing coffee less risky and make it easier for young people to enter the industry. The initiative is transforming coffee production in Akuapem, supported by key partners such as Ghana’s Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), the German development agency GIZ, and ITC’s Alliances for Action. By offering free seedlings, training, and access to a ready market, the initiative ensures farmers have the tools and knowledge to succeed.

Akuapem is well-positioned for such a transformation, with over 100,000 tenable acres of land and a population of 250,000, 65% of which are youth. If fully realized, the economic potential is staggering, with each acre of land potentially generating $1,000 annually, translating to $100 million in income for the area.

The success of the Akuapem coffee initiative depends on collaboration, with key partners providing crucial support in training, capacity building, and quality control. GIZ’s Agribizz contract farming agreement ensures fair pricing and guaranteed buyers for farmers, providing stability and security for those entering the coffee industry.

John is optimistic about the future of coffee in Ghana, stating that they need to learn how to consume their own produce to dictate their destiny when it comes to raw materials. The Coffee Consumption Initiative, part of the broader effort to boost domestic coffee consumption, is supported by a $25,000 grant from the Inter-African Coffee Organization.

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