The Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, has intensified stakeholder engagement efforts in the Savannah Region with a courtesy call on the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Bi-Awuribe and a meeting with shea and cashew farmers in Damongo.
The engagements formed part of the Authority’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing the development of Ghana’s tree crops sector, particularly within the Savannah Region, which holds significant potential for the production of shea, cashew, and mango.
During the meeting with the Regional Minister, discussions focused on strategic collaboration to expand tree crop production, attract investment, create employment opportunities, and improve livelihoods across the region.
Dr. Okrah introduced the Authority and highlighted its mandate to regulate and develop the production, processing, and trading of cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango and shea. He also outlined TCDA’s ongoing registration, licensing, compliance, and enforcement efforts to promote transparency, traceability, and sustainable growth within the sector.
The Minister commended the Authority’s vision and pledged the Region’s support, including collaboration towards the establishment of a TCDA regional office in the Savannah Region to enhance stakeholder engagement and service delivery.
As part of the visit, Dr. Okrah also engaged shea and cashew farmers in Damongo, where stakeholders welcomed TCDA’s interventions and called for stricter enforcement of industry regulations. The farmers further appealed for support with tools and equipment to improve productivity, particularly for women involved in shea nut collection and processing.
Responding to their concerns, the CEO assured the farmers of TCDA’s commitment to addressing their challenges and strengthening interventions to improve productivity, value addition, and livelihoods along the shea and cashew value chains.
In recognition of his leadership and commitment to the sector, Dr. Andy Osei Okrah was presented with a Citation of Honour by Hon. Iddrisu Sumani, Founder and CEO of Bunyanso Farms Limited and President of the West Gonja District Co-operative Farmers and Marketing Union Ltd, on behalf of shea, mango, and cashew farmers, exporters, traders, processors, and stakeholders across Ghana.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
