The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has intensified efforts to promote compliance and effective regulation in Ghana’s tree crops sector through a national stakeholder engagement and sensitisation programme held in Sunyani in the Bono Region.
The engagement, organised in collaboration with the Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Programme II (GPSCP II), forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen public and stakeholder understanding of the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) and the Authority’s Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2471).
The Sunyani engagement, which is the second in the national series, brings together key actors across the tree crops value chain to examine the legal and regulatory framework governing the sector, assess the performance of the Authority and identify areas requiring stronger collaboration and enforcement.
The programme also provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss the progress made under the current management of the TCDA and consider strategies for strengthening the sector from 2027 and beyond.
The engagement is led by the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, with the Board Chairman, Prof. William Oduro, also participating in the discussions.
The Bono Regional Minister is represented by an Assistant Director at the Bono Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Samuel Mbo, while the Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Programme II is represented by its Team Lead, Madam Juliana Ofori-Karikari.
Participants include representatives of the Ghana Police Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, farmers, processors, traders, aggregators, transporters, media practitioners and other stakeholders whose activities directly affect the tree crops value chain.
The forum focuses on critical provisions of Act 1010 and L.I. 2471, particularly registration and licensing, quality assurance, traceability, pricing, conveyance certification, enforcement and compliance.
The discussions are intended to ensure that stakeholders have a clearer understanding of their obligations under the law and the procedures required to operate within the regulatory framework.
For farmers and other value chain actors, improved awareness of the regulations is expected to contribute to better compliance and reduce challenges associated with the movement, trading and processing of tree crops.
The involvement of law enforcement agencies is also considered important to the implementation of the regulatory framework, particularly in areas involving conveyance, licensing and other activities requiring enforcement.
Dr Andy Osei Okrah says effective regulation of the sector requires collective responsibility and sustained collaboration between the Authority, private-sector actors, law enforcement institutions and development partners.
“Effective regulation of the tree crops sector cannot be achieved by the Authority alone, It requires collective responsibility, collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders across the value chain.”
CEO of TCDA, Dr. Andy Okrah
Stakeholders to Understand the Provision of Act 1010 and L.I2471
He stresses the need for stakeholders to understand the provisions of Act 1010 and L.I. 2471 and ensure that the laws are translated into practical compliance across the sector.
According to him, the Authority continues to record achievements in the discharge of its mandate, making stakeholder engagement important for communicating progress, addressing concerns and identifying areas that require further attention.
“Act 1010 and L.I. 2471 provide the legal and regulatory foundation for the development of the tree crops sector, and our responsibility is to ensure that these provisions are understood and effectively implemented.”
CEO of TCDA, Dr. Andy Okrah
He also calls for stronger cooperation between the TCDA and law enforcement agencies to improve enforcement and ensure that actors who operate within the sector comply with the established requirements.
The engagement further enables stakeholders to clarify their respective roles and responsibilities under the regulatory framework.
This is particularly important given the number of actors involved in the tree crops value chain, from production and aggregation to transportation, processing and marketing.
The TCDA’s engagement with stakeholders is therefore aimed at building a shared understanding of the regulatory requirements while creating avenues for feedback on the implementation of the law.
The forum also assesses the Authority’s performance and achievements so far, providing an opportunity for participants to discuss emerging challenges and propose measures to improve the regulation and development of the sector.
The GPSCP II support forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s private sector competitiveness and improve institutional capacity within key economic sectors.
The project is implemented by NIRAS and Proforest, which are supporting TCDA’s sensitisation activities and efforts to improve awareness of the Authority’s regulatory framework.
The Role of Development Partners
The collaboration highlights the role of development partners in supporting public institutions to improve regulatory systems and strengthen engagement with businesses and other value-chain actors.
The TCDA says continued stakeholder collaboration remains essential to achieving sustainable growth in Ghana’s tree crops industry.
The Authority is expected to continue the national sensitisation programme in other parts of the country as it seeks to improve understanding and compliance with the legal framework.
For the Bono Region, the engagement provides an opportunity for farmers, traders, processors, transporters and other stakeholders to better understand the requirements governing their activities and engage directly with the regulator.
The discussions also reinforce the need for regulatory compliance to be treated as a shared responsibility rather than the sole obligation of the TCDA.
As Ghana seeks to strengthen the contribution of tree crops to economic development, employment, value addition and private-sector growth, stakeholders say effective regulation, quality assurance, traceability and enforcement will remain important to building a more organised and sustainable industry.
The TCDA therefore continues to position stakeholder engagement as a key component of its regulatory mandate, with the objective of ensuring that Act 1010 and L.I. 2471 are understood, respected and effectively implemented across the tree crops value chain.
