Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) Ghana Limited, the only cocoa processing facility in the Northern Sector, a leading exporter of cashews, and a Licensed Buying Company (LBC) in Ghanas cocoa sector, has received the Outstanding Agribusiness award in the Gold category at the 33rd & 34th Presidents National Awards for Export Achievement.
The award recognises ofi’s outstanding performance in cashew exports and its contribution to Ghana’s agribusiness sector in 2023, highlighting the company’s role in promoting non-traditional exports, supporting farmers’ livelihoods, and boosting national economic growth.
The awards ceremony, held at the Accra International Conference Centre’s Grande Arena, was organised by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) under the theme, “Building a Resilient Export Economy for Tomorrow.” Delivering his address, Mr Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur Esq, Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, emphasised the importance of exporters to Ghana’s economic resilience. He said Ghana’s export sector remains vital to boosting foreign exchange earnings and strengthening the economy’s resilience. He added that the awards celebrated exporters who had demonstrated consistency, compliance, and impact.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana; Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry; senior government officials; development partners; and key stakeholders in the export sector. In his keynote address as the guest of honour, President John Dramani Mahama praised the award recipients for their contributions to national development. He emphasised that exports remain a critical driver of Ghana’s economy. While commodities such as gold, bauxite and oil have historically supported growth, these are finite resources and cannot be relied upon indefinitely. He added that a sustainable economic strategy must therefore look beyond extractives and place greater emphasis on non-traditional exports, particularly agriculture and value-added products.
Commenting on the award, the General Manager of ofi’s cashew business, Raphael Yussif Amankwa, attributed the recognition to collaboration across the value chain.
“This award recognises the collective effort of our farmers, field teams, and partners. Our focus remains on maintaining quality and supporting sustainable cashew production that meets global standards while delivering shared value locally.”
Eric Asare Botwe, Senior Vice President and Country Head of ofi’s operations in Ghana, also expressed appreciation for the recognition.
“We are grateful for this recognition, which acknowledges our contribution to Ghana’s export agenda and the broader goal of building a resilient export economy. This achievement belongs to our farmers, our cashew team, and all our colleagues whose commitment ensures that Ghanaian produce remains competitive in the global market.”
He added:
“At ofi Ghana, we remain focused on responsible sourcing, operational excellence, and partnerships that create sustainable livelihoods. We thank our regulators, stakeholders, and employees for their continued support, and we take this award as encouragement to keep improving.”
The President’s National Awards for Export Achievement, established in 1989, recognise companies that excel in export trade, promote innovation and quality, and contribute significantly to Ghana’s non-traditional export growth.ofi Ghana continues to play a key role in Ghana’s agribusiness sector through employment creation, farmer empowerment, community development, and sustainable export growth. With this Gold award, the company will continue to pursue excellence in support of Ghana’s economic growth.
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