Ghana launches first-ever coffee week to boost local industry and global recognition

Ghana celebrated its first-ever Coffee Week this month, marking a milestone for the growing industry.  

Historically, coffee production has taken a back seat to cocoa, the nation’s dominant export, but recent initiatives like Ghana Coffee Week signal a strategic shift. This event is part of broader efforts to diversify the economy by promoting coffee’s role in sustainable agriculture and local entrepreneurship. 

It took place in the framework of the ACP Business-Friendly programme in Ghana, funded by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). The International Trade Centre (ITC) Alliances for Action implements the programmein partnership with Ghana’s coffee industry – all working toward sustainable development and increased visibility for Ghana’s coffee sector. 

A hands-on celebration packed with activities 

Ghana Coffee Week included a series of activities that showcased the coffee value chain.  

This ties into ITC-Alliances for Action’s goal to develop domestic consumption, value addition, and job creation in African coffee-producing countries, alongside its core activities of promoting sustainable coffee production and developing global market linkages. 

The event brought together farmers, industry professionals, and coffee enthusiasts for a comprehensive programme. Highlights included: 

• Women and youth conference: A focused discussion on inclusivity in the coffee sector provided a platform for women and youth to explore career and entrepreneurial opportunities within the industry. 

• Farm visits: Farm tours showcased Ghana’s coffee cultivation practices, teaching visitors about sustainable farming techniques. 

• Barista training sessions: To support skills development, youth participated in barista training, where they learned advanced coffee preparation techniques and discovered potential career paths in coffee preparation and service. 

• Coffee Fair and Exhibition: Ghana Coffee Week concluded with an exhibition featuring local coffee products, connecting industry stakeholders, and encouraging public engagement in coffee consumption. 

The importance of getting Ghanaians to grow, drink, and roast more coffee 

Developing local coffee consumption and value addition in Ghana is crucial for building a sustainable and resilient industry.  

By encouraging Ghanaians to embrace coffee as part of their daily lives, the country can create a reliable domestic market that supports local farmers and reduces dependency on volatile international markets.  

Value addition, such as processing coffee locally rather than exporting raw beans, generates higher profits and creates jobs across the value chain – from roasting and packaging to retail and hospitality.  

This shift not only boosts economic growth but also promotes a culture of coffee appreciation within Ghana, allowing more of the coffee industry’s economic benefits to remain within the country and supporting the livelihoods of local communities. 

'We are drawing attention to an important, evolving strategic sector of our economy – starting small but aiming to grow Ghana Coffee Week into a significant annual event,’ said Larry Attipoe, ITC’s Alliances for Action National Programme Coordinator. 

Supported by the European Union, the Ghana Cocoa Board, and other industry partners, Ghana Coffee Week promotes sustainable agribusiness practices, increases local coffee consumption, and sets the stage for Ghana’s coffee industry to gain international recognition.  

Ghana’s coffee industry is poised for growth, with initiatives like its national coffee week underscoring the country’s potential to make a significant impact on the global coffee scene. 

About the project 

The ACP Business-Friendly Programme is funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and jointly implemented by ITC’s Alliances for Action, the World Bank and UNIDO.

It seeks to improve the ability of agribusiness firms in ACP countries to compete, grow and prosper in domestic, regional and international markets. Through the Alliances for Action approach, it promotes inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains that value all stakeholders from farm to shelf.

Alliances for Action is an ITC initiative that seeks to transform food systems through producer partnerships that cultivate ethical, climate- smart, sustainable agricultural value chains.