(Ecofin Agency) - Five days. That is how long the recently implemented directive regarding ban on cashew export in Ghana lasted. The government, according to local media, pressured by parliament revised its decision.

The directive, emerging from Ministry of Trade, aimed to favor the processing sector. However, producers did not welcome it as they could no more access profitable cashew prices on the international market.

Mumuni Issah, Chairman of the Techiman Cashew Buyers Association expressing himself regarding the directive said: “the directive is putting the farmers at the mercy of the two local processing cashew plants which can fix low tariffs leaving producers with no choice since they have no alternative”

This situation, once again, highlights the various challenges that Ghana’s cashew industry faces.

Few years ago, Ghana had 12 processing cashew plants, now it only has two.

Aaron Akinocho