The President of the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), Paul Kwabena Amaning, has commended President John Dramani Mahama’s administration for demonstrating a strong commitment to the oil palm sector.
He described government’s decision to introduce a dedicated $500 million Oil Palm Development Finance Window in the 2026 Budget, as a bold and transformational step for the sector.
Speaking on Aluta FM’s Anopa Koko with Agyaba Kwaku, Mr. Paul Amaning said the initiative would also promote rural industrialisation and large-scale job creation through the oil palm value chain.
“This is a bold decision made by government. This is the first time government is giving attention to the oil palm industry and it is a catalyst for job creation on a large scale,” he said.
He further lauded Government’s efforts to reinforce key research, regulatory, and technical institutions such as the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI) and the Ghana EXIM Bank.
He also acknowledged the role of the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) in coordinating industry-wide dialogue between large estates, processors, and smallholder groups.
“This alignment of institutions is essential for the effective transformation of the Red Gold value chain,”
He called on the government to prioritize the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), adding that government must ensure that adequate funds are allocated to the authority to deliver on its mandate.
“The government has to strengthen Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) which oversees the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana by investing money and see to it that they are working,” he added.
Written by,
Ernestina Adoko
