Enhance access to improved planting materials, extension services - John Dumelo to TCDA board
The newly constituted board of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has been inaugurated with a charge on members to implement effective policies and mechanisms to enhance the access of farmers to improved planting materials and quality extension services.
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), John Setor Dumelo, who inaugurated the board in Accra, also urged members of the board to work out effective policies to expand tree crop acreage in a climate-smart and environmentally sustainable manner, including supporting research and development initiatives to boost yields and enhance value addition.
They were also asked to streamline registration, traceability and quality control systems across the sector, and also foster public-private partnerships to drive investment and expand market opportunities.
The deputy minister said that the TCDA remained central to the country’s agriculture for economic transformation agenda (AETA).
He said the inauguration of the board was a critical step towards realising the country’s ambition to become a global leader in the production and processing of high-value agricultural commodities.
Board members
The 27-member board has Professor William Oduro as chairman, with the Chief Director of MoFA, Paul Siameh; Thomas Ampem, Andrews Osei Okra, Dr Allen Kwesi Asante-Yeboah, Sadat Kishiwale, Dr Samuel Hodor Mensah and Vitus Pumwan Layen as members.
Others are Sie Kwabena Simon, Abdulai Abdul-Mumim, Raphael Yussif Amankwa, Charles Kwame Kumah, Sutha Anita, Hajia Rabiatu Abubakari Gurunpaga, Alhaji Imoro Issifu, Santanu Kumar Bhuya, Shetty Gangadhar and Daniel Kojo Nyame.
The rest are Cecilia Annan, Godfred Obeng Amoakoh, Paul Lawrence Appiah, Perry Acheampong, Frederick Agyapong Koranteng, Kweku Kum, James Boateng and Ismael Kwao Boafo.
Collaboration
Mr Dumelo said that tree crops formed a central pillar of AETA, and therefore, urged the board to direct the affairs of the authority towards the realisation of that vision.
He called on the board to work in close collaboration with the management of the authority, the ministry and other relevant stakeholders so that “together, we can build a tree crop sub-sector that is competitive, equitable and a major contributor to the country’s economic transformation”.
The deputy minister congratulated the board members while urging them to use their tenure to help transform the sector.
Commitment
On behalf of the board, Prof. Oduro pledged their commitment to lead TCDA into a new era of sustainable growth and effective regulation in the country’s tree crop sub-sector.
“We will uphold the highest standards by publishing annual reports, maintain regular stakeholder engagement, and ensure that public funds are used judiciously and for maximum impact,” he said.
The chairman outlined the board’s strategic priorities to include accreditation of nurseries and processing facilities; dissemination of high-yielding, disease-resistant planting materials; promotion of climate-smart agronomic practices; establishment of rural processing hubs to add value and reduce post-harvest losses and the development of market information systems for improved price and market access.
