The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority , TCDA Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, has engaged the Bono Regional Minister, Mr. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, in discussions aimed at building synergies to revamp the cashew industry in the region.
As part of efforts to enhance the cashew value chain, Dr. Okrah emphasised the need for strategic investments to help attract investors to establish factories in the region.
According to Dr. Okrah increased stakeholder collaboration, especially with the support of the Regional Minister, will boost job creation and contribute significantly to the local economy. This, he noted, aligns with President John Mahama’s vision of a 24-hour economy, which seeks to maximize productivity across various sectors.
Dr. Okrah stressed that developing the cashew industry requires a concerted effort from both public and private sector stakeholders. He called for investment partnerships to improve cashew processing capacity, ensuring that raw cashew nuts are processed locally rather than exported in their raw state.
He believes that with the right support, the Bono Region can become a major hub for cashew production and processing, creating employment and improving livelihoods.
Illegal Mining Threat to Cashew Industry
During the engagement, the Bono Regional Minister, Mr. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, expressed concerns over the increasing menace of illegal mining (galamsey) in the region.
He highlighted that some cashew farmers have resorted to selling their farmlands to illegal miners, a development he described as a major threat to both the cashew industry and environmental sustainability.
The minister warned that anyone caught engaging in illegal mining would face the full force of the law. He reaffirmed his commitment to fighting against illegal mining to protect farmlands and ensure the sustainability of tree crops in the region.
“We cannot allow illegal mining to destroy our lands and jeopardize the future of the cashew industry. The government is committed to ensuring that our farmers and investors thrive in a secure and sustainable environment,” Mr. Akwaboa stated.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between government agencies, investors, and local farmers to harness the full potential of the cashew industry in the Bono Region.
The establishment of processing factories is expected to add value to the cashew supply chain, create jobs, and enhance economic growth while efforts to curb illegal mining will help protect farmlands for sustainable agricultural development.
The acting CEO of Tree Crops Development Authority was accompanied by his deputy Rich Kofi Kofi Tuo who is in charge of operations , Madam Sylvia Antwi – Deputy Director, HR and Mr. Adams Buabeng , Cashew Value Chain Specialist .
Source : BFT
