Artisanal and small-scale palm oil producers occupy a greater share of Ghana’s palm oil processing industry, producing 60–80% of the country’s palm oil. However, the current processing systems used by the palm oil producers are mainly the traditional metal cooking pots and steel tanks.
Where is oil palm plantation located in Ghana?
A woman processing palm oil at one of the facilities supported by UNDP, MESTI and EPA. The green landscape, mostly characterized by oil palm plantation, is a beautiful, calming, and refreshing sight to behold when entering parts of the Eastern Region of Ghana. The region is one of the most suitable areas for oil palm cultivation.
How much palm oil does GNA produce a year?
During peak seasons, the company employs over 4,000 workers and produces over 35,000 tonnes of palm oil and palm kernel oil per year, with a storage capacity of approximately 21,000 tonnes at both Kwae and Tema harbours near Accra. GNA
How many hectares of oil palm is owned by gopdc Kwae & okumaning?
The company leases two concessions from the Ghanaian government: GOPDC Kwae (8954 hectares) and GOPDC Okumaning (5075 hectares), both in the Kwaebibirem Municipality and Denkyembour District of the Eastern Region, with a total of approximately 9000 hectares of oil palm planted.
Why are artisanal palm oil refineries still importing palm oil?
“The artisanal palm oil processers are producing more than half of the country’s palm oil but the oil is mostly of low quality due the traditional processing method. This is forcing the refineries to still be importing a lot of palm oil for various use”, noted Mac Makafui Amedzi, Mill Engineer at Solidaridad West Africa.
How many oil palm trees are there in Ghana?
GOPDC’s oil palm plantations in Ghana cover approximately 1860000 trees, spread over a radius of 30 km at the Kwae and Okumaning estates in the Eastern Region. About 13000 ha of these plantations have been developed for around 6000 outgrowers.