Asante mampong: The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) is working towards expanding value addition for cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea. Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the TCDA, who stated this, said the Authority was leading Ghana's efforts to move from the export of raw agricultural commodities towards processing, manufacturing, branding, and the development of higher-value products.
According to Ghana News Agency, this initiative aims to create jobs, expand opportunities for women and young people, increase farmers' incomes, and retain more value within the Ghanaian economy. Dr. Okrah, speaking at a ceremony to launch and distribute farming inputs to Ghanaian tree crop farmers at Asante Mampong, highlighted that in the cashew sector, stakeholders were promoting the commercial utilization of the cashew apple alongside raw cashew nuts. Similar opportunities existed across the other tree crops through processing, product development, and market expansion.
Dr. Okrah further indicated that the Authority had deepened collaboration with stakeholders in the oil palm sector to strengthen partnerships, translate policies into practical actions, unlock the potential of Ghana's oil palm industry, and accelerate national development. In this regard, he announced that the Government was securing a $500 million integrated financing window from the World Bank to cultivate 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations, with the project set to be executed between 2026 and 2032.
The CEO acknowledged the growing threats from climate change, pests, and diseases, citing recent experiences in the cashew sector, including the emergence of powdery mildew in some production areas. He emphasized the importance of early detection, research, farmer education, and timely intervention. The TCDA plans to continue working with research institutions, development partners, farmer organizations, private-sector companies, and local government structures to strengthen extension, research, and technology transfer across the six strategic tree crops.
Another priority Dr. Okrah mentioned was data and traceability. Effective development of the tree crops sector requires reliable information on farmers, farms, production, trade, and markets. The TCDA is therefore strengthening farmer registration, mapping, and traceability systems to improve planning, service delivery, transparency, and accountability throughout the value chain.
He articulated a vision to build a tree crops sector that is productive, resilient, competitive, inclusive, and capable of creating sustainable livelihoods and industrial opportunities for present and future generations. Dr. Okrah called on traditional authorities, District Assemblies, farmer organizations, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to continue supporting the national tree crops agenda.