The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Setor Dumelo, has inaugurated the newly constituted Board of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), urging members to implement transformative policies that will position Ghana as a global leader in tree crop production and processing.

Speaking on behalf of the sector minister, Eric Opoku, at a ceremony in Accra, Mr Dumelo underlined the role of tree crops in Ghana’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA).

He called on the Board to expand tree crop cultivation in a climate-smart and environmentally sustainable manner, and to improve farmers’ access to quality planting materials and extension services.

He also encouraged the Board to support research and development to boost yields and promote value addition.

The deputy minister urged the Board to streamline registration, traceability, and quality control systems across the sector and to pursue strong public-private partnerships.

This, he noted, would drive investment and open up new markets.

Mr Dumelo reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to the AETA and expressed confidence in the Board’s ability to build a competitive and inclusive tree crop sub-sector.

The Chairman of the Board, Professor William Oduro, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to lead the TCDA into a new era of growth, effective regulation, and support for smallholder farmers.

He said the Authority’s vision was to promote economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and inclusive growth through sustainable tree crop production.

Under institutional strengthening, he said the TCDA would rapidly implement regulatory frameworks, accredit nurseries and processing facilities, and invest in capacity building, including training in photogenetics and climate adaptation.

In the area of research and innovation, the Board would partner with universities, research institutions and the private sector to disseminate high-yielding, disease-resistant planting materials and promote climate-smart agronomic practices.

He said value chain integration efforts would focus on the establishment of rural processing hubs to reduce post-harvest losses and add value to raw materials.

The Board also plans to develop market information systems to support price discovery and enhance market access.

Prof Oduro gave assurance of the Board’s commitment to good governance.

He said the TCDA would uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and ethical conduct by publishing annual reports, engaging stakeholders regularly, and ensuring public funds  were used judiciously and to maximum benefit.

The 33-member Board include: Mr Paul Siameh (MoFA), Mr Simpson Ahi (MoTAI), Mr Thomas Ampem (MoF) Dr Andrews Osei Okrah (CEO-TCDA), Dr Allen Kwesi Asante-Yeboah (Producer-Coconut), Mr. Sadat Kishiwale (Processor-Coconut), Dr. Samuel Hodor Mensah (Trader-Coconut), and Mr. Vitus Pumwan Layen (Exporter-Coconut).

Others are: Mr. Sie Kwabena Simon (Large Scale Producer- Cashew), Mr. Abdulai Abdul-Mumin (Small Scale Producer- Cashew), Mr. Raphael Yussif Amankwa (Exporter/Trader Cashew), Mr Charles Kwame Kumah (Processor-Cashew), Ms. Sutha Anita (Pickers/Collector-Shea) and Hajia Rabiatu Abubakari Gurunpaga (Artisanal Women Processors-Shea).

Alhaji Imoro Issifu (Traders/Exporter-Shea), Mr. Santanu Kumar Bhuyan (Industrial Processors-Shea), Mr. Shetty Gangadhar (Exporter/Trader-Shea) and Mr. Daniel Kojo Nyame (Large Processor-Oil Palm) are also members.

The rest are: Ms. Cecilia Annan (Small Holder Processor-Palm Oil), Mr. Godfred Obeng Amoakoh (Small Holder Farmer -Oil Palm), Mr. Paul Lawrence Appiah (Small-Scale Processor-Rubber), Mr. Perry Acheampong (Large-Scale Processor-Rubber), Mr. Frederick Agyapong Koranteng (Small Holder Farmer-Rubber), Mr. Kweku Kum (Large Scale Producer-Rubber), Mr. James Boateng ((Large Scale Producer-Mango) and Mr. Ishmael Kwao Boafo (Main Trader/Exporter), Dr Evelyn Maureen Acquaye (Main Large-Scale Processor, Mango) and Kwaku Yeboah Asuamah (Small-Scale Producer - Mango).