Cotton in Ghana

Cotton in Ghana is one of the nation's major cash crops. The African Agribusiness and Agro-Industries Development Initiative (3ADI), in conjunction with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank and Ghana's Ministry of Trade and Industry are working to promote the cotton sector and introduce genetically engineered crops, namely Bt Cotton, in Ghana.

3ADI Initiative

In Ghana, 3ADI first visited in August 2010. The visit led to a focus on cotton in Ghana:

"During a first mission in August 2010, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) indicated a clear priority on the cotton sector, key to the socio-economic progress of the rural North. A few weeks later, the Government launched the national cotton revival strategy and embarked on a decisive re-organization of the industry by inviting private partners with international credentials to invest in cotton production. In January 2011, the Ministry of Trade and Industry further called on the World Bank, [the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank] and UNIDO to support the national efforts."

UNIDO's role is introducing Bt Cotton to Ghana - specifically, helping the government set up a regulatory structure to handle the genetically engineered crops.

Articles and Resources

Related SourceWatch Articles

• African Agribusiness and Agro-Industries Development Initiative (3ADI)
• U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
• The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)
• Bt Cotton

External Resources

• Bahana Background Paper Cotton, 3ADI, October 20, 2011.
• Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy, Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
• Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan 2009-2015, Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
• FAO Statistics about the cotton sector in Ghana and its neighbours.
• Diagnostic Study of the Cotton Sector in Ghana.