Forty cashew farmers in the Jaman North District of the Bono Region have received specialised training to improve their advocacy and negotiation skills, enabling them to push for fairer pricing and stronger representation within the cashew value chain.
The trainees, drawn from the leadership and membership of the Bono Cashew Farmers’ Cooperative Union, were equipped to engage policymakers, negotiate equitable market terms and influence decision-making processes affecting the cashew sector.
The programme, held in Sampa, forms part of Phase Two of the Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers Project, implemented by Cashew Watch Ghana (CWG) with funding from the STAR-Ghana Foundation.
Women leaders and District Directors of Agriculture from various cashew-producing districts also participated.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, National Coordinator of CWG, said the initiative aims to strengthen citizen participation, empower farmer groups and enhance local advocacy on governance within the cashew industry.
He indicated that the STAR-Ghana Foundation’s support remains crucial in advancing inclusive development and active citizenship.
Mr Ahenu explained that many cashew farmers continue to grapple with price instability, poor access to market information and limited bargaining power, challenges the project seeks to address.
He noted that CWG will roll out additional community engagements, policy dialogues and media advocacy activities to reinforce reforms across the cashew sector.
“The training equips farmers with the skills necessary to influence policy direction and negotiate more favourable terms. Strengthening the voice of farmers is essential to building a fairer and more transparent cashew sector,” he said.
Participants were taken through modules including advocacy fundamentals, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis and practical negotiation skills. Interactive sessions, featuring role-play, simulations and group discussions were tailored to reflect the realities of smallholder cashew farmers.
Some farmers, speaking during an open forum, described the training as timely and transformative, noting that it had increased their confidence to engage buyers, aggregators and policy actors more effectively.
