ITC collaborates with coffee growers and processors in West Africa to assist them in expanding into new markets and expanding their businesses. Asili Coffee, a coffee producer in Ghana, is leading the way in promoting collective action to increase national coffee production and consumption.
In the picturesque Akuapem Ridge in Ghana, a transformation is unfolding, with coffee at its core.
John Nana Addo Francois, the driving force behind Asili Coffee, is leading a movement that is poised to revolutionize rural development and socioeconomic progress in the area. Through his initiatives, Asili Coffee is creating opportunities for farmers and fostering a coffee-drinking culture in Ghana, a country renowned for its cocoa production.
John is part of the broader effort under the ACP Business-Friendly program, funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States. Implemented by ITC’s Alliances for Action, this program aims to enhance Ghana’s coffee industry, with the Akuapem Ridge as the focal point.
This region has the potential to become Ghana’s coffee center, with ideal conditions for large-scale production. Former President John Kufuor, a strong advocate for coffee farming, envisions success similar to the country’s cocoa industry, offering farmers new economic prospects and building a thriving value chain.
Establishing a Hub for Ghanaian Coffee Farmers
One pivotal project driving this vision is the Pilot Coffee Incubator Programme, launched in Akropong in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Managed by Asili Coffee Purveyors Limited, the incubator aims to make coffee farming less risky and more accessible for young individuals entering the industry. Supported by key partners such as Ghana’s Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), the German agency GIZ, and ITC’s Alliances for Action, the program is transforming coffee production in Akuapem.
Through providing free seedlings, training, and access to markets, the initiative equips farmers with the necessary tools and knowledge for success.
‘The incubator is vital as it creates an inclusive path for Ghana to be recognized as a coffee-producing nation. However, this transformation will not happen overnight. It is a community project with a timeline of 10-20 years,’ notes John.
Akuapem is well-positioned for this change, with ample land and a youthful population that can drive large-scale production. The economic potential is significant, with each acre potentially generating $1,000 annually, totaling $100 million in income for the area. The program’s initial success is evident, with the first group of farmers from 2019 now selling their produce to Asili Coffee.
Besides production, the incubator serves as a resource hub for farmers, offering seedlings, training, and research opportunities, while also serving as a point for purchasing produce. John emphasizes the importance of expanding coffee acreage and promoting local consumption to establish a sustainable coffee culture in Ghana.
A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Change
The success of the Akuapem coffee initiative relies on collaboration. Key partners like ITC and the Ghana Cocoa Board provide essential support in training, capacity building, and quality control. GIZ’s Agribizz contract farming agreement ensures fair pricing and reliable buyers for farmers, ensuring stability for those entering the coffee sector.
John is optimistic about Ghana’s coffee future. ‘We need to learn to consume our own products to shape our destiny with raw materials,’ he asserts.
The Coffee Consumption Initiative, part of the broader push to boost domestic coffee consumption, has secured a $25,000 grant from the Inter-African Coffee Organization. This funding will establish model coffee shops nationwide, raising awareness of Ghanaian coffee and creating employment opportunities for young people.
Asili Coffee is now positioned to drive both local production and consumption, bringing enduring change to the Akuapem region and beyond.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.