INTRODUCTION

GHANA OIL PALM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED (GOPDC)

GOPDC is an integrated agro-industrial company specialized in the organic cultivation of oil palm, extraction of crude palm oil and palm kernel oil and in the refining and fractionation of these produce.

In 1995, GOPDC as a State Owned Enterprise was divested with SIAT (Ghana) Ltd acquiring a majority stake (80%) in the new company, whereas the Government of Ghana retained 20% of shares.

GOPDC has about 20,500 hectares of oil palm plantations at its Kwae and Okumaning estates in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Of which, about 14,000 ha have been developed for about 7,000 outgrowers. In total, there are over 2,800,000 oil palm trees spread over a radius of 30 km, creating a secured income for above 50,000 people.

The processing facilities of the company comprise a 60 mt/h fresh fruit bunch palm oil mill, a 45 mt/day palm kernel mill and a 100 mt/day refinery and fractionation plant which started up recently (December 2007).

The company, employing 2,200 workers in the peak season, produces over 30,000 tons of palm oil and palm kernel oil per annum and has a storage capacity of about 15,000 tons both at Kwae and Tema (harbour).

The driving force behind the investments taking place at GOPDC is to create value for its produce. But any agro-industrial company is part of a community and cannot survive without social engagements. Therefore, GOPDC supports the communities it operates in, not only through the results from its business operations, but through investment in education, health and the environment which are essential factors in social development with the aim of improving living standards for the majority of the people.