The Coffee Roasters Association of Ghana (CRAG) is providing information, education and technical assistance to indigenous coffee roasters to boost the local industry.

CRAG brings together a new wave of specialty coffee entrepreneurs who are committed to producing and exporting high-grade specialty coffee made in Ghana.

The President of CRAG, Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the new generation of committed specialty coffee producers and roasters were taking up the challenge to revitalise the coffee industry in Ghana.

“The industry has performed badly over the years, but the new generation of coffee producers are looking to revitalise the local industry.

“The local coffee industry is devising innovative solutions towards bridging the gap on the international stage,” Mr Greenstreet said.

Two-fold goal

Ghana is setting out on a journey to revitalise its coffee industry, but lack of infrastructure and access to information for farmers, an almost non-existent local coffee market, and negative global perceptions of robusta continues to hinder the progress of the local industry.

The CRAG has set a two-fold goal for the industry which is aimed at getting Ghanaians to embrace the specialty coffee scene and adopt locally grown and processed coffee.

There is another focus to bring high-quality Ghanaian robusta to the world to help market the nation’s product.

In recent times, Ghanaian coffee roasters have gained international recognition, thanks to the activities of the CRAG membership, namely Gold Coast Roasters, Asili Coffee, Cafe Magnifico, Bean Masters and Kowa Moka, among others.

Mr Greenstreet said with the support of the CRAG, the local industry would break into the international market.