The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has inaugurated its Northern Zonal Office in Tamale to serve as the operational hub for its activities across the five regions in the north.
The office complex, located at the SSNIT Pension Tower, is expected to promote the regulation, coordination, and sustainable growth of Ghana’s shea and other tree crop industries.
It will facilitate the coordination of programmes and partnerships within the shea value chain and other selected crops including cashew, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm in line with the Authority’s mandate to diversify the country’s agricultural base and reduce overreliance on cocoa.
The inauguration ceremony brought together key stakeholders including traditional leaders, development partners, and actors in the shea value chain.
Dr Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer, TCDA, speaking during the launch, described the opening of the office as “A symbol of renewed commitment to inclusive growth, regulation, and coordination within the shea industry.”
He said the office would play a crucial role in harmonising shea sector data, enhancing traceability, and ensuring effective monitoring of value chain actors through registration, licensing, and certification systems.
He explained that under Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2471, the Authority was empowered to regulate and coordinate the shea sector to ensure transparency, fairness, and quality across the value chain.
Dr Okrah said TCDA had taken steps to address key challenges confronting the shea industry such as the indiscriminate felling of shea trees, low levels of value addition, and limited access to finance and markets.
He said: “The shea tree is our natural wealth, and we cannot continue to destroy it for charcoal or short-term gains. Together with traditional authorities led by the Ya-Na, we have agreed to enforce strict community action against the cutting of shea trees and the use of harmful chemicals.”
He outlined recent interventions by TCDA including the establishment of a Shea Technical Working Group, development of a minimum farm-gate pricing framework, and introduction of an export permit regime to promote quality assurance and equitable benefit-sharing.
He said: “The new zonal office will create over a thousand direct and indirect jobs across the shea ecosystem; from nut collection and aggregation to processing, packaging, trading, and export.”
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister described the inauguration of the office as a “strategic step towards sustainable agriculture and improved livelihoods” saying it would help harness the region’s potential in shea and cashew cultivation.
Naa Mohammed Rashad Abdulai, Kpalung Zobogu Naa of the Gulkpegu Traditional Area, who chaired the event, commended the TCDA for extending its operations to the north saying the initiative aligned traditional values of land stewardship and community unity.
He pledged the support of traditional leaders to ensure peace, access to land, and community cooperation for the success of TCDA’s programmes in the northern zone.
Madam Joana Naab, President, Shea Nut Pickers and Workers Association said the establishment of the office marked a milestone for women and workers in the shea value chain.
She said: “Now that the TCDA Zonal Office has been inaugurated, we know where to channel our concerns for redress and where to seek partnerships for the sustainable development of our businesses.”
Source : GNA
