Efforts to unlock financing for cashew farmers in the Tain District gained renewed momentum as stakeholders gathered in Nsawkaw to strengthen collaboration between growers and financial institutions.
At the centre of the discussions was the revelation that the Nsawkaw branch of Nkoranman Rural Bank had disbursed GHC200 million in loans to cashew farmers during the last production season — a move seen as a major boost to the local cashew economy.
Speaking at the dialogue, Branch Manager Hamid Seidu reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting farmers and improving socio-economic livelihoods through targeted agricultural financing. He urged farmers to maintain proper documentation, keep accurate farm records and form cooperatives to improve their eligibility for larger credit facilities in future seasons.
The forum was organised by Cashew Watch Ghana (CWG) under its “Amplifying the Voices of Cashew Farmers” project, funded by the STAR-Ghana Foundation. The initiative aims to bridge the information gap between farmers and lenders while promoting greater transparency in loan processes.
The dialogue provided financial institutions with an opportunity to clarify lending requirements, eligibility criteria and documentation procedures — issues that farmers say often limit their ability to access credit. Many growers have previously complained about stringent conditions, high interest rates and unclear processes.
Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, National Coordinator of Cashew Watch Ghana, stressed that although the cashew sector holds significant economic promise in the Bono Region, limited access to finance remains a major bottleneck. He called on banks and development institutions to offer more flexible and affordable loan products tailored to farmers’ needs.
During the open forum, participants highlighted how affordable financing would enable them to purchase quality seedlings, improve farm maintenance and adopt modern agronomic practices to increase yields.
Other institutions participating in the engagement included Opportunity International and Brong Ahafo Catholic Co-operative Society for Development Ltd (BACSSOD).
Stakeholders described the dialogue as a critical step toward strengthening the cashew value chain, improving productivity and ensuring that farmers are equipped with both the financial resources and information needed to sustain growth in the sector.
