Tree Crops Development Authority tightens regulation of tree crop trade, targets $10bn sector
The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has served notice that the era of unregulated, informal trading in Ghana’s tree crop sector is over, warning that buying below statutory floor prices, trading without an operational licence and fronting for foreign syndicates now attract arrest and prosecution under national law.
The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has implemented stricter regulations for Ghana's tree crop sector, targeting a $10 billion annual economic sector composed of six commodities: cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea. Known collectively as "C-CORMS," these crops generate a global market worth over $230 billion, with Ghana currently earning around $750 million from the sector.
The new regulatory regime, enforced under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) and Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2471, aims to prevent illegal trading practices. TCDA CEO Dr. Andrews "Andy" Osei Okrah warned against buying tree crops below the statutory minimum farm-gate price and trading without a valid license, emphasizing that the Authority will arrest and prosecute offenders.
The TCDA has launched a decentralized rollout of its regulatory powers, deploying over 100 Compliance and Enforcement officers in partnership with the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, and Customs to enforce the regulations. The Authority also emphasized the importance of protecting shea parklands from destruction for charcoal production, which is considered a serious economic offence.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
