Ghana’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister on Wednesday held talks with a visiting delegation from the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries aimed at strengthening cooperation and expanding the country’s palm oil sector.
The delegation was led by Secretary-General Izzana Salleh, who paid a courtesy call on Deputy Minister James Gyakye Quayson to discuss opportunities for growth, sustainability and investment in the industry.
Quayson said palm oil remains one of Ghana’s major agricultural commodities and stressed that modernising farming methods could significantly improve yields, create jobs and position the crop as a leading export comparable to cocoa. He underscored the importance of deepening collaboration with the council to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.
Salleh outlined the organisation’s mandate to promote the shared interests of producing nations through sustainability advocacy, engagement with global institutions and protection of smallholder farmers. She noted that Ghana has held observer status in the council since 2020.
Drawing on examples from Malaysia and Indonesia, she said palm oil production can make substantial contributions to national GDP, generate employment and improve rural livelihoods when supported by strong policy frameworks.
Also present at the meeting were Florence Akonor, Ghana’s ambassador to Malaysia, and Antonius Yudi Triantoro, Chargé d’Affaires at the Malaysian High Commission in Accra, alongside council officials and directors from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Both sides concluded discussions by reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and technical cooperation, expressing optimism that closer ties would accelerate development in Ghana’s palm oil industry and enhance its competitiveness on international markets.