Development Partnership with the Private Sector Grant Program – Ghana

The Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Program II (GPSCP II) was initiated through a bilateral initiative between the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Government of Ghana. This program is being implemented jointly by NIRAS International Consulting and Proforest. By building on the achievements of GPSCP Phase I, the second phase (GPSCP II) aims at continuously improving the enabling environment for the cashew and palm oil sectors and contribute to higher private sector productivity and competitiveness by fostering inclusive and sustainable growth through enhanced trade and competitiveness.

Processors, business associations and training institutions in the oil palm and cashew value chains are invited to review the application documents to fully understand the technical scope of work and instructions for submitting grant applications.

Program goal: Fostering inclusive and sustainable growth through enhanced trade and competitiveness in oil palm and cashew value chains.

Funding Information

• This grant offers up to GHS 3 million per grant to private sector partners.

Activities Supported

• Provide funding to address technological constraints of cashew and oil palm SME processors;
• Support processing companies in obtaining product certification (sustainability and quality) and implementing standards;
• Support processing companies in procuring strategic and operational business development services;
• Support institutional and organizational development for oil palm and cashew processing associations;
• Support of associations in delivering training for oil palm processors and their raw material suppliers on best processing practices;
• Provide co-financing support for cashew processing companies to enroll their managers in the Master Training Program run by African Cashew Alliance (ACA).

Duration: 2023- 2027

Country: Ghana

Eligible Expenditure

• Procurement of improved processing equipment by SMEs in the oil palm value chain, including import duties, taxes, tariffs and other necessary side costs linked to such purchases (such as warranty costs) under the condition that these costs are not recoverable
• Payment of strategic and operational business development services required by the individual SME or group/association for its members
• Training, advisory or other technical services required for the program, e.g. the initial capacitation of management or employees in newly adapted machines or technology as well as costs related to licenses needed to operate the acquired equipment or technology
• Training for palm oil processors and their raw material suppliers (through umbrella associations) on best processing practices
• Institutional and organizational development for oil palm and cashew associations
• Product certification and standards for oil palm and cashew processors
• Enrolment of managers in the Master Training Program being run by African Cashew Alliance (ACA).

For more information, visit NIRAS International Consulting.