Ghana’s cotton industry continues to struggle despite the country’s favourable conditions for cultivation, standing in sharp contrast to booming production in neighbouring West African nations.
Since production began in 1968, Ghana has never exceeded 40,000 tonnes of cotton annually. Meanwhile, regional competitors have turned the crop into a major economic driver.
Burkina Faso exported cotton worth US$459 million in 2021, while Mali achieved a record 750,000 tonnes the same year. Ivory Coast has also seen substantial growth, leveraging cotton to combat rural poverty with support from international partners, including France.
The Ghanaian government has acknowledged the sector’s near-collapse in its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, citing chronic underinvestment as the primary cause.
The Ghana Cotton Development Authority (GCDA) operates with skeletal staff and lacks adequate office facilities, reflecting the broader neglect of the industry.
Yield rates tell a similar story.
Ghana has never surpassed 800kg per hectare, while neighbouring countries consistently achieve higher productivity. According to the World Bank, Ghana accounts for less than one percent of West and Central Africa’s total cotton output, highlighting the country’s missed economic potential.
The sector faces multiple structural challenges. Farmers struggle with limited access to credit, poor-quality seed, delayed input delivery, and inconsistent government policies.
Since the Agriculture Development Bank withdrew financing in 2000, cotton production companies have drastically reduced their operations, leaving only four firms active, all functioning below full capacity.
There is, however, cautious optimism. The government has pledged to strengthen the Cotton Development Authority and introduce legislation to regulate the sector.
Stakeholders warn, though, that without addressing fundamental issues such as financing, policy clarity, and technical support, Ghana risks continuing to lag behind its neighbours in a market projected to grow to US$7.7 billion across Africa by 2029.
“The potential for Ghana is immense, but it requires consistent investment and strategic policy support,” said a senior industry official. “Otherwise, we will remain a marginal player while our neighbours reap the benefits.”
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