Ghana continues to grapple with a significant annual deficit in palm oil production, compelling the country to rely heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. While national consumption is estimated at 450,000 metric tonnes, local production trails behind at around 300,000 metric tonnes leaving a shortfall of 150,000 metric tonnes.
This production gap is largely attributed to low farm yields, inefficient processing methods, and the encroachment of illegal mining on arable farmland. But a new intervention is targeting the root of the issue; the lack of access to quality oil palm planting materials.
To help address this, Ecopalms GH, an oil palm seedling production hub, has been launched in Pepesa, within the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region. The facility has already cultivated 24,000 certified Tenera oil palm seedlings, which will be distributed to farmers to improve yields and reduce Ghana’s dependence on imports.
Ecopalms GH is a community-led initiative developed under the Business Resource Centre of the municipal assembly. It is the result of an eight-month collaborative effort between the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation and Ghana Sumatra Limited. The project currently employs 18 people from the local community, 15 women and 3 men.
Speaking at the launch, Isaac Danso, Principal Research Scientist at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)–Oil Palm Research Institute, underscored the importance of using certified seedlings to ensure productivity.
“One of the key issues facing the industry is the use of adulterated seedlings. Ecopalms GH sources its planting materials from CSIR, ensuring they are true-to-type hybrid varieties. With the right agronomic practices, these certified seedlings can significantly increase yields and strengthen our palm oil sector,” he stated.
The Executive Secretary of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, Abdul Razak Yakubu, explained that the project emerged from the challenges faced in sourcing quality seedlings from distant locations like Kade in the Eastern Region.
“We used to spend huge sums transporting seedlings over long distances, which affected their quality and viability. With Ecopalms GH now operational, we are producing seedlings locally, ensuring better quality and lower costs,” he said.
Yakubu added that the foundation invested ₵180,000 into establishing the facility. After the eight-month setup phase, the Foundation is now purchasing the seedlings at ₵12 each to supply to farmers, generating an estimated ₵280,000 in revenue for the local enterprise.
“This project provides real economic alternatives for our youth. If a community can build a business around seedling production, with guaranteed buyers and institutional support there’s no need to turn to risky and illegal ventures like galamsey,” he emphasized.
Lead Coordinator of Ecopalms GH, Solomon Quaicoo, described the initiative as a game changer and encouraged young people to see agriculture, especially oil palm cultivation, as a viable and profitable path.
“We urge the youth to take advantage of this opportunity to build livelihoods rooted in sustainability and growth,” he said.
Ecopalms GH is expected to expand its production capacity in the coming months to meet increasing demand, playing a key role in transforming Ghana’s palm oil industry.
