Kola nut value and supply chains in Ghana, a qualitative study

ABSTRACT The study assessed the value and supply chain of kola nuts in Ghana through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) in eighteen communities. Key actors, flow of products and product information, and relationship among actors were assessed using content analysis. Results suggest that the nuts are picked or harvested from either wild or cultivated kola trees by farmers or pickers. The nuts are then processed or cured for storage by either the farmers, pickers or brokers who buy harvested kola pods for assemblers. The assemblers either sell to local consumers or on large markets in neighbouring countries like Nigeria. The business model for the kola nut industry in Ghana is such that transactions are usually on mutual trust and verbal agreements without any documented evidence. There is limited market information, which often hinders price negotiation, and this affects especially producers and processors. For improving the value chain for mutual benefit among the actors, especially for producers, we recommend the formation of a strong horizontal linkage through avenues, such as associations as well as strong vertical and consistent linkages between the actors.