Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has shared the unexpected origin story of his foray into agribusiness, revealing that a light-hearted conversation with a German friend sparked what is now a successful coconut processing venture.
Delivering the keynote address at the Coconut Day event, part of the Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit and Exhibition 2026 in Accra on Friday, February 20, the lawmaker recounted how a casual suggestion gradually transformed into a concrete business opportunity.
"It was like a joke, but he managed to tell me that if I got the factory through, I would be very resourceful. He didn’t say I’ll be rich," Afenyo-Markin told participants at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The idea, he explained, began to take shape as he explored the potential of coconut processing, starting with the simple coconut husk. The venture's importance was later underscored by new international environmental policies.
"Soon after the whole idea had been conceived, the EU passed legislation on desertification," he stated. "In Africa, we use topsoil to raise seedlings, and it has become an environmental issue. They started flagging exports from Africa, including Ghana, and they said, ‘Look, Alex, this is an opportunity for you.’"
This challenge became the catalyst for innovation. Afenyo-Markin disclosed that his company now manufactures a soil-less media using coconut husk. This sustainable alternative replaces traditional topsoil for raising seedlings, directly addressing the environmental concerns raised by the EU.
"I am happy to say that the entity that I put together can produce what we call soil-less media using coconut husk," he noted. The products, which come in forms like fertilised or raw options to meet specific farmer needs, are supplied to commercial farmers locally and are also exported to international markets. The processing factory is located at Npadi on the Bawuah road.
Beyond his personal success, Afenyo-Markin used the platform to urge stakeholders, particularly young entrepreneurs, to recognize the vast economic potential within Ghana's coconut industry.
"So it's an opportunity. I am in it, so I'm not just a politician, but I am seeing the reality in there. Let's take advantage," he encouraged.
The Coconut Day event was a key component of the broader Ghana Tree Crops Investment Summit, aimed at fostering investment, innovation, and sustainable growth within the nation's vital tree crop sector.
