2026 budget transformational breakthrough for red gold industry – Oil palm smallholders

The Ghana Small Scale Oil Palm Producers Association, GOPPA, is applauding the 2026 Budget, describing it as a transformational turning point for the country’s oil palm industry.

GOPPA says the launch of the National Policy on Integrated Oil Palm Development backed by a GH¢6.9 billion budget allocation and a US$500 million long-term finance window marks the strongest commitment yet to industrialise Ghana’s “Red Gold” sector.

In a statement signed by  Kojo Obeng Berkoh, Executive Secretary of GOPPA, the Association noted that the new policy outlines major interventions, including the establishment of 100,000 hectares of new plantations, the creation of over 250,000 jobs, and expanded support for downstream processing and value addition.

GOPPA also welcomed the outgrower partnership scheme, which offers smallholders high-yield seedlings, mechanisation, subsidised inputs, and guaranteed off-take agreements.

The Association further praised the concessional US$500 million financing window, describing its five-year moratorium and long repayment structure as critical for a crop with a seven-year maturity cycle.

It also lauded efforts to strengthen industry institutions such as the Tree Crops Development Authority, the Oil Palm Research Institute, and EXIM Bank.

GOPPA says with its 3,000-member network targeted to grow to 20,000 in the next four years it stands ready to support the successful rollout of the policy and help position Ghana as a leading producer of sustainable palm oil