The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has commissioned a new Regional Office in Sunyani, Bono Region, as part of efforts to decentralise its operations, improve access to regulatory services and strengthen support for stakeholders across the tree crops value chain.
The office was commissioned by the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, together with the Bono Regional Minister, Hon Joseph A. Akwaboa, and the Chairman of the TCDA Board, Prof William Oduro.
The new regional office is expected to bring the Authority’s services closer to farmers, processors, aggregators, traders and other actors within the sector, while improving the efficiency of regulatory and stakeholder engagement activities.
The establishment of the office forms part of the TCDA’s broader decentralisation programme aimed at ensuring that its regulatory, development and support services are delivered more effectively at the regional level.
The move is particularly significant for the Bono Region, a major hub for cashew production, where the office is expected to contribute to improved organisation and regulation of the cashew value chain.
Speaking at the commissioning, Dr Okrah said the regional presence would make it easier for stakeholders to access TCDA services while enhancing the Authority’s capacity to monitor, regulate and support activities within the tree crops sector.
He said the office would support the registration and licensing of industry actors, strengthen compliance and enforcement, improve traceability and data collection, and facilitate public education and stakeholder sensitisation.
“Our regional officers will now effectively represent the Authority here in Bono, bringing TCDA’s presence, guidance and support directly to the doorstep of our farmers and processors,” he said.
The Bono Regional Minister, Hon Joseph A. Akwaboa, described the establishment of the office as an important development for the region’s agricultural sector.
He said bringing TCDA’s services closer to farmers and other value chain actors would help improve productivity, quality assurance, value addition and access to markets.
He pledged the support of the Regional Coordinating Council and encouraged farmers, processors, traders and other stakeholders to work closely with the TCDA to maximise the opportunities created by the new regional presence.
The Minister also urged farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to strengthen resilience and promote sustainability within the tree crops sector.
Dr Okrah expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership and continued support for the TCDA, as well as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Bono Regional Coordinating Council, development partners and other stakeholders who contributed to the establishment of the office.
The commissioning represents another step in the TCDA’s efforts to expand its regional presence and ensure that farmers and other actors across Ghana’s tree crops value chain have easier access to regulatory services, technical guidance and institutional support.
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