Ghana appoints Andy Osei Okrah as acting CEO of Tree Crops Development Authority
GHANA – Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Andy Osei Okrah as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA).
Okrah, who previously served as the Director of Human Resources at the Forestry Commission, was also the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister during President Mahama’s first administration.
Speaking at his official resumption of duty in Accra, Okrah reaffirmed the TCDA’s commitment to implementing government policies aimed at revitalizing Ghana’s tree crops sector.
He highlighted the sector’s potential to transform lives, create jobs, and significantly boost the national economy.
“Ghana’s tree crops sector holds immense potential to transform lives, create jobs, and significantly boost our national economy. From cashew to shea, mango to coconut, rubber to oil palm—these crops are a treasure trove of opportunities waiting to be fully harnessed,” Okrah stated.
He emphasized the importance of sustainability in tree crop production, assuring stakeholders that TCDA would align its strategies with environmental conservation and economic growth.
Okrah outlined plans to work closely with farmers, processors, traders, exporters, and donors to address industry challenges and foster an enabling environment for growth.
He stressed that under his leadership, TCDA would focus on innovation, value addition, and market expansion to maximize the sector’s potential.
“We will collaborate with stakeholders—farmers, processors, traders, exporters, donors, and partners—to address the industry’s challenges and create an enabling environment for growth,” he said.
Established by the Tree Crops Development Authority Act 2019 (Act 1010), TCDA is tasked with regulating and developing the production, processing, and trading of six key tree crops: cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm.
The authority plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and increasing the value chain of these crops.
Ghana is the world’s third-largest exporter of unprocessed cashew nuts, trailing Ivory Coast and Cambodia.
Around 300,000 Ghanaians depend on cashew farming for their livelihood, with the country producing approximately 180,000 tonnes annually.
However, more than 80 percent of Ghana’s cashew exports are in raw, unshelled form, generating about US$300 million in export revenue but limiting higher-value processing opportunities.
In 2016, the government attempted to ban raw cashew exports to encourage local processing, but the policy was abandoned following strong opposition from farmers and traders.
With Okrah at the helm, the TCDA aims to drive policies that balance the interests of stakeholders while ensuring long-term growth and sustainability in Ghana’s tree crops sector.
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