TCDA will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure food security - New CEO assures

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Andy Okrah, has assured farmers in the tree crop sector of a sustainable regulatory system to develop, facilitate and create the enabling environment for the growth of the sector.

According to him, the establishment of the TDCA, which included the cultivation of coconut, shea butter, cashew, rubber, mango and oil palm, was to help boost the economic transformation of the nation, especially by providing the needed support for the youth in the country.

Mr Okrah gave the assurance at a short handing-over ceremony on the premises of the authority in Accra where he officially took over from Dr Forster Boateng as the new CEO of the authority.

He noted that the industry would further work with farmers, processors, exporters, partners and donors to ensure food security and also to provide jobs for the teeming youth who were interested in the sector.

“It is the intent of the authority to break the barrier and become the engine of growth and a beacon of hope for the unemployed youth in the country,” he stated.

Mr Okrah further reiterated the point that just as the Ghana Cocoa Board had been able to create a sustainable platform for their farmers, the TCDA would also follow the footsteps of COCOBOD and institute attractive measures to make them attractive to most farmers who might be wondering what type of farming they would decide to engage in.

Agribusiness

The Chief Executive of the TCDA was quick to add that it would be a great opportunity for President John Dramani Mahama’s agenda of the promotion of the tree crop sector in terms of agribusiness and also his desire for them to receive the needed boost and energy to drive the economy.

He mentioned that as a team player and a dedicated individual, his main agenda was to work with a group that focused on hard work and a desire to make positive changes in the lives of the masses.

“We have been selected for a particular agenda of creating wealth for farmers and all those in the sector to harness growth and development,” he explained.

Mr Okrah commended the staff of the authority for holding the fort and urged them to bring on board all the needed experiences and resources to make it viable and a force to reckon with.

He added that the people of Ghana had given them a mandate to provide for their basic needs and also help improve their livelihood, especially in the area of quality food for consumption and export to boost the economy.

Galamsey

Mr Okrah expressed optimism that the sector would intensify education to farmers in the industry to encourage them to venture into the cultivation of such crops due to the numerous economic and social benefits notably for expert, international consumption and the vast employment opportunities which were generational for the country.

He was of the view that with the needed incentives and collaboration with farmers, they won’t hand over their vast lands and crops for galamsey as had been the practice in the cocoa sector.

Even though COCOBOD is dealing with the galamsey menace, the TCDA would continue to partner land owners, including traditional authorities to release their lands for such economic activity, which would be of benefit to all.

According to him, there will be several engagements and capacity building with stakeholders in the industry to educate them on the value addition and the productivity the sector had for them.

For his part, Dr Boateng mentioned that although the authority was new, it had supported the agriculture sector meaningfully.

He noted that most of the large farmlands in the country were located in the middle belt and as such, there was the need to support such farmers with tools and seedlings to encourage them to invest in the sector.