Women Trained in Cashew Value Addition to Boost Jobs and Incomes in Techiman

Women in the Techiman cashew sector are receiving targeted training in value addition to improve their livelihoods and create sustainable employment opportunities. The Bono East Region, a major hub for cashew cultivation and processing, offers ideal conditions for the crop and remains a key source of income for farmers and cooperatives. However, despite its potential, many women, youth, and persons with disabilities continue to face limited and unstable income opportunities within the sector.

To address this gap, Agrico Hub, a business and digital innovation organization in collaboration with its partners, has organized a capacity-building workshop focused on value addition in the cashew value chain. The training equips women with skills in processing, entrepreneurship, and startup development, with the aim of fostering sustainable jobs and enhancing incomes.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Agrico Hub, George Antwi Boasiako, highlighted the need to move beyond raw cashew production. He noted that although the crop creates employment opportunities, the lack of value addition leaves many workers without reliable income.

The Bono East Regional Director of Agriculture, James Adu, commended the initiative but expressed concern over Ghana’s limited progress in cashew processing. He emphasized that the cashew apple, often discarded, can be processed into a variety of products, creating additional revenue streams. He urged stakeholders to explore these opportunities more aggressively.

The District Chief Executive for Techiman North, Adom Johnson, reaffirmed government commitment to the sector, revealing that a cashew processing factory has been established in the district. According to him, the facility is set for commissioning and is expected to create jobs, increase incomes, and boost local economic growth.

Representing the Paramount Chief of Techiman, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, the Chief of Mateso, Nana Ati Adjei, pledged traditional authorities’ support for initiatives that empower women and strengthen the cashew value chain.

The training forms part of the Women-led Agro-innovation for Gender Equality (WAGE) program, a three-year initiative designed to increase women’s earnings in the cashew sector. The program is being implemented under the theme: “Advancing the livelihoods of women and youth in the cashew value chain through skills and enterprise development.”