Director of the African Coconut Group, Kwaku Boateng, has urged young people to explore opportunities in Ghana's coconut industry, highlighting the support structures available for new businesses.

Speaking ahead of the 4th International Coconut Festival in Accra, Mr Boateng noted that initiatives like the Coconut Revitalisation Programme and Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) showcase the government's commitment to strengthening the coconut value chain.

He stressed the sector's potential to alleviate unemployment, with a ready market for coconut products both locally and internationally.

The coconut industry alone can employ up to a million Ghanaians, Mr Boateng said, citing the Coconut Federation's five operational wings: nursery operators, producers, vendors, processors, and exporters.

The 4th International Coconut Festival, themed “Empowering Lives Through Coconut — Innovation, Employment, and Sustainable Livelihoods”, runs from October 21 to 23, 2024, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The event, supported by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC), Ghana Exim Bank, and SOLIDARIDAD, will feature trade exhibitions, seminars, and networking opportunities for young entrepreneurs and women in the coconut industry.

Since its launch in 2019, the festival has been a platform for promoting investment in the sector, which has shown significant economic contribution.

In 2022, earnings from coconut exports reached over $6 million for fresh coconuts and an additional $6.3 million for processed products.

The government has since included coconut in the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) to further boost its production and regulation.