By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI) at Akyem Kusi has launched a new rubber production programme aimed at boosting Ghana’s foreign exchange earnings and diversifying agricultural research.
The event, brought together key stakeholders, including the CSIR Director-General, Prof. Paul Pinnock Bosu; Deputy Director-General, Prof. Mariam Dorcas Quain; Technical Manager of Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), Gregory Mensah; and the Akyem Kusihene, Nana Kusi Boadum II.
CSIR Director-General, Prof. Paul Pinnock Bosu said the governing council approved the initiative after OPRI’s success with oil palm and coconut research. He urged the management to position rubber as a major foreign exchange earner alongside cocoa, oil palm and gold.
He assured the institute of CSIR’s full backing, including providing technical staff from other centres, and appealed to government to allow the recruitment of new workers to replace more than 100 retired employees.
Deputy Director-General, Prof. Mariam Dorcas Quain also encouraged the adoption of high-yielding rubber seeds to maximise productivity.
Mr Mensah of GREL noted that the rubber sector is becoming a vital contributor to the economy, not only through exports but also by supporting tyre and plastic manufacturing. GREL currently operates 16,000 hectares of plantations in the Western, Eastern and Central regions. He stressed that the sector could create thousands of jobs and strengthen local industries.
Director of OPRI, Dr Isaac Danso, said the institute’s work would focus on enhancing latex yields, land-use efficiency, plant health, and value addition to natural rubber.He outlined a five-year plan that includes appointing key officers, building office and laboratory facilities, acquiring land, and establishing research equipment.
Dr Danso disclosed that over 100 workers are currently casual staff, costing the institute around GH¢200,000 monthly in salaries and SSNIT contributions. He appealed for government support to integrate them into permanent employment.
He added that about 55 staff have retired since 2022 without replacement, a situation that has weakened the institute’s performance.
The Akyem Kusihene, Nana Kusi Boadum II, welcomed the initiative but called for a review of the institute’s mandate to fully include rubber and coconut, and requested local representation on OPRI’s board.
