By J.k Nabary
Awutu Bawjiase (C/R), July 23, GNA – Dr. Samuel Hoda Mensah, Chairman of the Coconut Value Chain Association and Vice President of the Coconut Seed Gardeners Association ofGhana, has thanked President John Dramani Mahama for appointing him to the Tree Crops Development Authority board.
Acknowledging the appointment in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr Mensah said ” I am truly humbled and honoured by the trust placed in me by the President to serve on the TCDA board.
Dr Mensah who is also an Optometrist by profession and a farmer by passion, is the 2024 Eastern Regional best farmer and currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sahmen Coconut Farm Resort Center in Upper West Akim District.
He stated that with expertise in economics, public health, ecology, law, management and medicine, he was committed to working with his colleague board members and all stakeholders to implement the priorities outlined to promote the development of the tree crop sector in Ghana.
He therefore urged, the youth to venture into tree crops like cocoa, coffee, shea, coconut, and oil palm plantation as a business to make them self-reliant adding that tree crop farming was a very lucrative venture that could turn their fortunes around, urging them not to migrate to the urban centres to struggle for greener pastures which were not there.
TCDA plays a critical role in Ghana’s agricultural sector, particularly in promoting the tree crop sector, an essential part of the country’s economy and food security.
Its mandate also includes, regulating and promoting the tree crop industry by overseeing the development of tree crops like cocoa, coffee, shea, and oil palm and support farmers to improve tree crop productivity and quality.
The board is to promote sustainable production practices, encourage environmentally friendly and sustainable practices in tree crop production, improving farmer livelihoods, research and development, collaborate with other institutions to improve tree crop varieties, disease management, pest control and to work with all stakeholders to promote the tree crop sector.
The 29-member board is chaired by Professor William Oduro of the Wildlife Biology/Ecology and Management at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
Mr John Dumelo Deputy Minister for Agriculture, with a call on the members to implement effective policies and mechanisms that will enhance farmers access to improved planting materials and quality extension services.
He stated that the tree crops Development Authority had the mandate to regulate and create a conducive environment for the growth and development of tree and industrial crops in Ghana, with consequential benefit to the economy of the country saying government was seeking to expand tree crop acreage in climate smart and environmentally sustainable manner, support research and development initiatives to boost yields and to enhance value addition.
The Deputy Minister stated that the inauguration was a critical step towards realising Ghana’s ambition in the production and processing of high value agriculture.
He urged the board to be bold and visionary leaders to guide the tree crops Development Authority at deliver its mandate, bring strategic direction, oversight and innovations, put policies and mechanisms in place to enhance farmer access to improved planting materials and extensive services to the work of the Authority.
He charged them to also expand the tree crop acreage in the climate smart, environmentally sustainable manner, support research to improve yields and add value , streamline registration, traceability and quality control, and promote public, private-public partnerships for investment and market extension.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Audrey Dekalu