MTP online application reopened, deadline extended.

The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) has reopened online registration for Editions 17 and 18 of the Cashew Mater Training Program (MTP) and extended the deadline for application to 28^th December 2023.

Potential applicants therefore have until the new deadline to apply for selection to participate in the next two Editions of the MTP to take place next year.

“We received several calls and messages asking from many industry players who missed the initial registration period. This decision was taken after further deliberations with key funding and implementing partners of MTP. We believe this extension will allow as many industry players as possible to apply and give people enough time to seek sponsorship from development partners in the cashew industry”, Head of Organizational Development and Finance, Reine Dehode, said.

With support from the European Union (EU) and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the ACA and implementing partners are working to expand the reach of the MTP. They are therefore encouraging industry players and institutions across Africa to apply for the next Editions of the MTP.

“The MTP is a continental program, not just for West Africa. Our aim, and that of our partners, is to have cashew experts all over Africa. In subsequent editions we want to ensure that as many participants from East Africa and other parts of the continent participate in the MTP. Indeed, we are planning to hold a session of the MTP in East Africa next year”, Ms. Dehode added.

Application is open to people working in the private and public sectors, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and development partners promoting cashew value chains in Africa and beyond. The applicants must be mandated by their host institution and will go through a transparent selection process in line with fixed criteria.

Interested applicants can proceed to https://mtp.cashewknowledgehub.com/ to read about the MTP, the terms and conditions and register.

About the MTP

The Master Training Programme is organised by the African Cashew Alliance and the Market Oriented Value Chains for Jobs and Growth in the ECOWAS Region (MOVE) in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), the Conseil du Coton et de l’ Anacarde (CCA), and the Consultative International Cashew Council (CICC). The program aims to increase theoretical knowledge and practical skills of African cashew experts along the value chain and consequently to further promote the competitiveness of the African cashew sector. It is an intensive three-week training held in three different sessions involving both classroom and practical sessions on various aspects of the cashew value chain ranging from production and processing to economics, cashew market dynamics, marketing and financing mechanisms and cross cutting issues like facilitation skills, negotiation skills, decision making, gender among others.

Training Location

The training is conducted in Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire by the ACA with expert support from MOVE/GIZ, MOFA, CRIG and other national institutions and companies involved in the cashew sector. The working languages are English, French, and Portuguese (with translation service).

Timelines

The 17^th and 18^th Editions of the MTP are expected to start in February 2024 and end by July 2024. Specific timelines for these Editions will be communicated to successful applicants.