The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) is set to host its 2026 Annual Conference, bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, the financial sector and the development community to explore investment opportunities and chart a sustainable future for Ghana’s oil palm industry.
The two-day conference, scheduled for November 7 and 8, 2026, will be held under the theme: “Transforming Ghana’s Oil Palm Industry: Unlocking the US$500 Million Investment Opportunity for Entrepreneurship, Women’s Empowerment, Smallholder Prosperity and Sustainable Growth.”
The conference is expected to provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting the sector, identify new investment opportunities and strengthen collaboration towards building a competitive, inclusive and sustainable oil palm industry.
With Ghana’s growing demand for palm oil and the need to expand local production, the conference comes at a critical time when increased investment, improved productivity and stronger value-chain partnerships are essential to unlocking the sector’s full economic potential.
The conference theme reflects OPDAG’s commitment to positioning the oil palm industry as a major driver of entrepreneurship, employment creation, rural development and economic growth.
The US$500 million investment opportunity highlighted by the conference underscores the potential for significant capital mobilisation across the oil palm value chain, including plantation development, processing, logistics, agricultural technology and other supporting services.
Industry stakeholders are expected to explore practical ways of attracting investment, improving access to finance and creating an enabling environment for both local and international investors.
The conference will also focus on strengthening the participation of smallholder farmers, women and young entrepreneurs, recognising their importance to the growth and sustainability of the sector.
For smallholder farmers, the discussions are expected to highlight opportunities to improve access to quality planting materials, modern farming techniques, markets and sustainable financing.
For women and young entrepreneurs, the conference will provide an opportunity to explore business opportunities across production, processing, distribution and other value-adding activities.
The conference will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and institutional representatives whose contributions are expected to enrich discussions on the future of Ghana’s oil palm industry.
The programme will be chaired by Daasebre Nana Otuo Siriboe II, OPDAG Chairman of the Council of Patrons and Paramount Chief of the Juaben Traditional Area.
Among the speakers are Mr Paul Amaning, President of OPDAG; Dr Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA); Mr Abdulai Musah Idrissu, Chief Revenue Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); and Mr Kenneth Kwame Amanfo, Regulatory Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
Other speakers include Mr Shetty Gangadhar, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of GOPDC; Ms Rosemary Addico, Programme Manager of Solidaridad; Mr Daniel Kojo Nyame, Managing Director of Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP); Prof. Engr. Amewi Acka Akpovofi, Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University; and Mr Bako Ambianda, Chairman of Bako Group Holdings and CEO of Backbone Capital Ventures.
The participation of these institutions and industry leaders is expected to provide valuable perspectives on regulation, investment, technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability and the development of a stronger oil palm value chain.
Their contributions will also help identify practical solutions to the challenges facing the industry and opportunities for greater cooperation between the public and private sectors.
A major focus of the conference will be the need to ensure that the benefits of industry growth are shared across the value chain.
Smallholder farmers remain an important part of Ghana’s oil palm production system, while women play significant roles in processing, trading and other related activities.
The conference will therefore seek to promote approaches that improve access to finance, enhance productivity and create opportunities for small businesses to participate more meaningfully in the industry.
By encouraging entrepreneurship and inclusive investment, OPDAG aims to support a sector in which smallholders, women and young people can become active contributors to industrial growth rather than remain on the margins of the value chain.
The discussions are also expected to reinforce the importance of sustainable production practices, responsible investment and the protection of the long-term productive capacity of the industry.
Two-day programme in Accra
The first day of the conference will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The second day is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), beginning at 4:00 p.m.
The two-day programme will provide opportunities for stakeholder engagement, knowledge-sharing and discussions on the policies, partnerships and investments required to transform Ghana’s oil palm industry.
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By Citizen Kofi Owusu