Stakeholders in the rubber, shea and cashew industry has lauded the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) for enforcing new export rules for raw rubber, cashew, and shea.
Effective May 2, 2025, all individuals and businesses involved in the export of unprocessed rubber, cashew, or shea from Ghana were required to obtain written authorisation from the TCDA, a move aimed at tightening regulatory oversight and enhance value addition in the sector.
Speaking to Daily Graphic on the sidelines of a high level stakeholder engagement held in Tema, the General Secretary of the Natural Rubber Association of Ghana,
Ibrahim Arthur, the President of the Association of Natural
Rubber Actors of Ghana (ANRAG), Mr. Emmanuel Owusu said the new move would strengthen regulatory compliance, promote value addition, and bolster Ghana’s economic growth through a more structured and sustainable export system for tree crops.
The meeting brought together key players in the sector
including officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, National Investigation Bureau, Ghana Shippers Authority, executive members of the Association
of Natural Rubber Actors of Ghana (ANRAG) Rubber Outgrowers and Agents, Association, farmers, processors, producers, traders, and other value chain
operators.
Challenges
The President of ANRAG, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu, highlighted challenges in Ghana's rubber industry, including unregulated export of raw rubber, theft, and loan repayment issues affecting farmers.
He said the industry's regulation by the TCDA was crucial for value addition, revenue generation, and employment creation.
He said with effective regulation, farmers and processors could pay levies, and the industry could attract investments, create jobs, and contribute to the country's economy
The General Secretary of the Natural Rubber Association of Ghana,
Mr Ibrahim Arthur emphasised the importance of local industries employing youth and supporting the domestic economy.
He advocated for renegotiating prices with companies to ensure fair compensation for rubber farmers and traders, suggesting that a collaborative approach between government, private sector, and traders can help address challenges facing the sector.
Importance
The Acting CEO of the TCDA Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, stressed the importance of regulating the rubber industry to ensure local factories had access to raw materials, thereby creating and maintaining jobs.
He said exporting unprocessed rubber resulted in significant revenue loss for the country and emphasised the need for collaboration among stakeholders to address challenges and find solutions.
" A directive requiring permits for exporting raw rubber aims to prioritise local industries' needs the support of all to ensure Ghanaian industries are fed with local raw materials to boost employment" he said.
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