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 development organisations to explore investment opportunities and accelerate the transformation of 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 event is expected to provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to assess the challenges facing the sector, identify emerging investment opportunities and strengthen partnerships towards building a competitive, inclusive and sustainable oil palm industry.
The conference comes at a critical time as Ghana seeks to bridge the gap between domestic palm oil demand and local production through increased investment, improved agricultural productivity, modern processing technologies and stronger value-chain partnerships.
The US$500 million investment opportunity highlighted by OPDAG underscores the significant economic potential of the sector and the need to mobilise capital across various segments of the value chain, including plantation development, processing, logistics, agricultural technology and supporting services.
Through the conference, OPDAG seeks to encourage both local and international investors to explore opportunities within the industry while promoting policies and partnerships that create an enabling environment for sustainable investment.
Focus on Entrepreneurship, Women and Smallholder Farmers
A major highlight of the conference will be discussions on strengthening the participation of smallholder farmers, women and young entrepreneurs in Ghana’s oil palm industry.
For smallholder farmers, the discussions are expected to focus on improving access to quality planting materials, modern farming techniques, sustainable financing and reliable markets to enhance productivity and profitability.
Women and young entrepreneurs are also expected to benefit from discussions on emerging business opportunities across production, processing, distribution and other value-adding activities.
OPDAG believes that inclusive investment and entrepreneurship are essential to ensuring that the benefits of industry expansion are distributed across the entire value chain.
The conference will therefore seek to promote practical approaches that enable smallholder farmers, women and young people to participate meaningfully in the industry’s growth rather than remain on the margins of its economic opportunities.
High-Profile Speakers and Industry Leaders
The conference will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and institutional representatives whose expertise is expected to enrich discussions on investment, regulation, entrepreneurship, technology and sustainability.
The programme will be chaired by Daasebre Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Chairman of OPDAG’s Council of Patrons and Paramount Chief of the Juaben Traditional Area.
Among the key 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 Ghana Oil Palm Development Company (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 Chief Executive Officer of Backbone Capital Ventures.
Their participation is expected to provide valuable insights into the regulatory framework, investment climate, technological advancements and institutional partnerships needed to strengthen Ghana’s oil palm value chain.
Discussions will also explore practical solutions to industry challenges and identify opportunities for stronger collaboration between government institutions, private-sector players, development partners and farming communities.
Driving Sustainable Growth Across the Value Chain
Beyond investment mobilisation, the conference is expected to emphasise the importance of sustainable production practices, responsible investment and long-term industry development.
Smallholder farmers remain a critical component of Ghana’s oil palm production system, while women play significant roles in processing, trading and other related economic activities.
Ensuring that these groups have access to finance, improved technologies, training and viable markets will be essential to building a resilient and inclusive industry.
By promoting entrepreneurship, investment and value addition, OPDAG aims to position the oil palm sector as a major contributor to employment creation, rural development, industrialisation and national economic growth.
Two-Day Conference to Be Held in Accra
The first day of the conference will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The second day’s programme is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), beginning at 4:00 p.m.
The two-day gathering is expected to create opportunities for stakeholder engagement, knowledge-sharing and strategic discussions on the policies, partnerships and investments required to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s oil palm industry.
With a US$500 million investment opportunity at the centre of its agenda, the 2026 OPDAG Annual Conference is expected to contribute to renewed efforts to attract investment, empower industry participants and build a more competitive and sustainable oil palm sector in Ghana.
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