By Daniel Adu Darko
Accra, Jan. 28, GNA – Mr Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, has commended the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) for moving from policy formulation to enforcement with the graduation of its first batch of 85 Compliance and Enforcement Officers.
Speaking at the passing‑out ceremony, he said the establishment of the unit “demonstrates TCDA’s readiness to enforce the law with credibility, authority and professionalism.”
Mr Opoku noted that the unit would protect farmers, curb illegal imports and exports, enforce quality standards and safeguard livelihoods along the tree crops value chains.
He emphasised that “this unit is not meant to intimidate, but to educate, protect investments, enforce standards and restore confidence in the sector.”
The Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting TCDA under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) and highlighted interventions including the Ghana Tree Crops Diversification Project, which is expected to distribute more than six million elite seedlings to registered farmers nationwide this year.
Addressing the officers, Mr Opoku urged them to uphold integrity, professionalism and fairness.
“You are custodians of the law. Your duty demands discipline over compromise and integrity over convenience,” he said.
Dr Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, described the graduation as a strategic step towards operationalising the Authority’s regulatory mandate.
“Compliance and enforcement “are the backbone of the new TCDA strategy. With this task force in place, the solution to illegal trading, poor agronomic practices, lack of traceability, non‑payment of levies and quality challenges is firmly on course,” he said.
Dr Okrah said the officers were trained in 12 modules, including law enforcement, TCDA legal compliance, intelligence gathering, agronomy, public order management, stakeholder engagement and the TCDA Conveyance Certification System.
He explained that the certification system, together with the use of branded sacks, would improve traceability, reduce harassment of traders on transport routes and curb extortion.
“The issuance of TCDA Conveyance Certificates and the use of branded sacks will ensure the free flow of legitimate produce while protecting traders,” he said.
He stressed that no individual or entity is permitted to operate within the six regulated tree crops without TCDA licensing, noting that the new unit would collaborate with the Police, Customs, National Security and District Assemblies to restore order in the sector.
The ceremony acknowledged the Ghana Police Service Training School, development partners including the World Bank, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO), implemented by NIRAS/Proforest, as well as value chain associations and research institutions for their support.
The officers, comprising 15 women and 70 men, underwent a two‑week intensive training at the Kumasi Police Training Centre and are expected to enforce the TCDA Legislative Instrument, L.I. 2471, which regulates activities within six priority tree crops: cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango and shea.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey