The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has strengthened its presence in the Bono Region with the commissioning of a new regional office in Sunyani.
The office is expected to improve access to regulatory services and strengthen support for farmers, processors, aggregators, traders and other actors across the tree crops value chain.
The facility was commissioned by the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, together with the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph A. Akwaboa, and the Chairman of the TCDA Board, Prof. William Oduro.
The establishment of the office forms part of the TCDA’s broader decentralisation efforts to ensure that its regulatory, development and stakeholder engagement activities are delivered more efficiently at the regional level.
The Bono Region, a major hub for cashew production, is expected to benefit particularly from the regional presence as the Authority works to strengthen the organisation and regulation of the cashew value chain.
Speaking at the commissioning, Dr Okrah said the office would make it easier for stakeholders to access TCDA services while enhancing the Authority’s ability to monitor and support activities within the sector.
He said the office would facilitate the registration and licensing of industry actors, strengthen compliance and enforcement, improve traceability and data collection, and support 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, Joseph A. Akwaboa, described the establishment of the office as an important development for the region’s agricultural sector.
He said bringing TCDA services closer to farmers and other value-chain actors would contribute to improved productivity, quality assurance, value addition and market access.
He pledged the support of the Regional Coordinating Council and urged stakeholders to work closely with the TCDA to maximise the opportunities created by the new regional presence.
The Minister also encouraged farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to improve resilience and sustainability in 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 marks 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 the Authority’s services, guidance and regulatory support.
