The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, in charge of Cash Crops, Mr. Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has said the government intends to establish Ghana Tree Crop Authority, in the first quarter of 2019.
The Ghana Tree Crop Authority (GTCA), when it comes into force, will regulate the activities of farmers and exporters who are into cashew, coconut, coffee, mango, rubber, and oil palm tree production.
According to the Deputy Minister, the state is not benefiting from exports of these tree crops hence, the decision of the government to establish this authority.
To enable the turn round of the economy, the government is taking mammoth steps to revive the local seed production and other cash crops in the country.
Addressing some cocoa farmers in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Osei Nyarko assured that the Authority will seek to the welfare and need of actors within the tree crops line.
Currently, the government is only facilitating its establishment with some funding, but the management of the Authority will be regulated by an independent body, he said.
Among other functions, it also will also oversee the development and marketing of these tree crops, which in turn will transform the economy of Ghana.
He has observed that cocoa has been our major international trading commodity, but this current administration is exploring other avenues to make these crops more attractive and competitive enough to able to meet the international market demand.
In this regard, the Deputy Minister and a team from the Ministry of Agriculture visited some countries who are the major leading producers of these crops to understudy their model of developing and adding value to these crops.
“It is my fervent hope that Ghana Tree Crops Authority will able to turn the lives of our farmers and players within the value chain round,” he said.
Excerpt From Hon. Kennedy Osei Nyarko
