The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has held its third National Stakeholder Engagement and Socialisation Programme in Wa in the Upper West Region, as it intensifies efforts to improve understanding, compliance and effective implementation of the legal framework governing Ghana’s tree crops sector.
The engagement, led by the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, is organised in collaboration with the Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Programme II (GPSCP II).
It forms part of the Authority’s nationwide programme to sensitise stakeholders on the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), and the Tree Crops Development Authority Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2471), while providing an opportunity to assess the Authority’s performance and achievements.
The programme brings together stakeholders across the tree crops value chain, including farmers, traders, processors, aggregators, transporters, traditional authorities, law enforcement agencies, development partners and public institutions.
The engagement is also intended to strengthen coordination among these actors and ensure that the provisions of Act 1010 and L.I. 2471 are translated into practical compliance across the sector.
The TCDA is established under Act 1010 to regulate and develop the production, processing and trading of six major tree crops in Ghana: cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber and oil palm.
Dr Okrah says effective regulation cannot be achieved by the Authority alone and requires sustained cooperation from all actors whose activities influence the tree crops value chain.
“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 Osei Okrah
Boosting Regulation Framework to Support Activities
The CEO stresses that stakeholder participation is important because the regulatory framework affects activities ranging from production and aggregation to transportation, processing, marketing and export.
He says improved understanding of the law will help stakeholders comply with registration, licensing, quality assurance, traceability, pricing and conveyance requirements while reducing disputes and illegal practices within the industry.
The Wa engagement therefore provides a platform for participants to seek clarification on their obligations, raise concerns about the implementation of the regulations and identify areas where stronger institutional cooperation is required.
Dr Okrah also emphasises the importance of ensuring that Act 1010 and L.I. 2471 are effectively implemented rather than remaining legal instruments that stakeholders only understand in theory.
CEO of TCDA, Dr. Andy Osei Okrah
“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.”
The Authority’s approach comes as it strengthens enforcement and traceability mechanisms across the sector. In March 2026, the TCDA introduced a Conveyance Certificate System requiring tree crop produce in transit to have valid documentation.
Also, with compliance officers working with the Ghana Police Service, Customs and the Ghana Immigration Service at designated checkpoints.
Implementing Licensing and Registration Requirements
The Authority also continues to implement licensing and registration requirements for operators within the sector. From June 1, 2026, nursery operators, service providers and input dealers involved in the regulated tree crops industry are required to register and obtain licences from the TCDA.
The measures are designed to improve traceability, quality assurance and accountability while creating a more organised operating environment for farmers, businesses and other value-chain participants.
The TCDA is also strengthening regulation of planting materials. In July 2026, the Authority directed organisations and individuals distributing tree crop seedlings to source planting materials from TCDA certified suppliers and ensure that the materials meet prescribed standards.
According to the Authority, such measures are necessary to ensure that farmers receive quality planting materials capable of supporting productivity and the long-term sustainability of the sector.
The Wa programme also focuses on the role of law enforcement agencies in ensuring compliance. Their participation is considered important because several provisions of the regulatory framework require enforcement, monitoring and action against operators who fail to meet statutory requirements.
A Call for Continuous Collaboration
Dr Okrah therefore calls for continued collaboration between the TCDA, law enforcement institutions, traditional authorities, private sector operators and development partners.
“We need sustained stakeholder collaboration to translate the regulatory framework into effective compliance, improved coordination and sustainable growth across Ghana’s tree crops sector.”
CEO of TCDA, Dr. Andy Osei Okrah
The collaboration with GPSCP II further highlights the role of development partners in strengthening institutional capacity and private sector competitiveness within Ghana’s agricultural economy.
The programme is implemented by NIRAS and Proforest, which support TCDA’s sensitisation activities and efforts to improve awareness of the regulatory framework.
An Avenue for Local Actors to Understand Production
For the Upper West Region, the engagement provides an avenue for local actors to better understand the rules governing the production, movement, trading and processing of tree crops while engaging directly with the regulator.
The region is an important area for tree crop activities, particularly commodities such as shea, cashew and mango, making awareness of regulatory requirements significant for farmers, aggregators, processors and traders.
The national stakeholder engagement programme also gives the TCDA an opportunity to communicate its achievements, receive feedback from stakeholders and identify gaps that require further attention.
As Ghana seeks to increase value addition, private-sector participation, employment and investment in the tree crops industry, the Authority maintains that effective regulation and collaboration remain central to building a sustainable and competitive sector.
The TCDA is therefore continuing its nationwide sensitisation programme to bring the provisions of Act 1010 and L.I. 2471 closer to stakeholders and promote a shared understanding of the responsibilities required to support the orderly development of Ghana’s tree crops industry.
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