TCDA Appeals: Ghana Traditional Authorities Must Stop Illegal Mining Land Allocation

• The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) CEO appealed to traditional authorities in Ghana to stop releasing agricultural lands and tree-crop plantations for illegal mining.
• Illegal mining activities, particularly on cashew farms, threaten farmer investments, community income, and the sustainability of Ghana's tree-crop industry.
• The TCDA, established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019, is mandated to regulate and develop six specific tree crops: cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea.
• The inauguration of the TCDA's Bono Regional Office aims to decentralize services, bringing regulatory support and technical information closer to farmers.
• The government's policy requires 50-60% of tree-crop production to be processed locally, with the TCDA working to ensure raw material access for processors.

This TCDA appeal to traditional authorities on illegal mining in Ghana signals a heightened regulatory focus on preserving agricultural assets.

The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has issued a stern warning to traditional authorities across Ghana, urging them to cease the practice of allocating tree-crop plantations and other productive agricultural lands for illegal mining operations. Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, emphasized that the widespread destruction of established tree-crop farms, particularly cashew plantations, by illicit mining activities poses a significant threat to years of farmer investment and deprives local communities of sustainable income sources. This critical message underscores the TCDA's commitment to Ghana tree-crop farm protection.

Speaking at the recent inauguration of the TCDA's Bono Regional Office in Sunyani, Dr. Okrah highlighted that such land release to illegal miners directly jeopardizes the long-term viability of Ghana's vital tree-crop industry. He stressed the collective responsibility of traditional authorities, farmers, and other land custodians to actively safeguard productive agricultural lands and tree-crop plantations from any activities that could inflict permanent economic damage. This TCDA appeal to traditional authorities on illegal mining in Ghana signals a heightened regulatory focus on preserving agricultural assets.

The Tree Crops Development Authority operates under the foundational Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), which provides its comprehensive mandate to regulate and foster the growth of production, processing, and trading activities for six specific tree crops. These designated crops include cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea, forming the core of Ghana's strategic agricultural development. The establishment of the new Bono Regional Office represents a pivotal move in the TCDA's strategy to decentralize its services, ensuring that regulatory support, crucial technical information, and accountability mechanisms are more accessible to farmers and other participants throughout the value chain.

Dr. Okrah clarified that this regional facility is designed to serve all six mandated tree crops, not exclusively cashew, reinforcing its broad developmental scope. He extended gratitude to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Bono Regional Minister for their instrumental role in securing the office complex, assuring all stakeholders of its effective utilization in advancing the TCDA's objectives. This expansion is crucial for the TCDA's mission to protect Ghana's agricultural land from illegal mining and promote sustainable farming practices.

Beyond immediate protection measures, the TCDA is actively championing a broader strategic vision for the tree-crop sector, emphasizing enhanced collaboration among key stakeholders. Dr. Okrah specifically called for stronger partnerships involving the TCDA itself, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Bono Regional Coordinating Council, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, traditional authorities, farmer associations, and research institutions. The overarching goal of this collaborative effort is to significantly improve the regulation and overall development trajectory of the tree-crop sector across the nation.

A critical component of the government's policy direction, as articulated by Dr. Okrah, mandates that between 50 and 60 percent of all tree-crop production must undergo local processing. In alignment with this objective, the TCDA is dedicated to ensuring that domestic processors have consistent and adequate access to the necessary raw materials. Furthermore, Dr. Okrah urged stakeholders to strategically position the Bono Region as a diversified hub for tree-crop production, advocating for increased focus on crops such as shea and mango, alongside the already prominent cashew. This integrated approach aims to bolster the resilience and economic output of Ghana's agricultural landscape.

Joseph Addae Akwaboah, the Bono Regional Minister, underscored the profound significance of the TCDA office inauguration, hailing it as a crucial milestone in regional efforts to fortify the tree-crop sector and advance sustainable agricultural development. He highlighted the Bono Region's substantial inherent potential for tree-crop cultivation, noting the significant contributions of crops like cocoa, coconut, and oil palm to both farmer livelihoods and the broader local economy. The Minister's remarks reinforced the importance of the TCDA's presence in addressing the challenges posed by Ghana illegal mining on agricultural land.

Mr. Akwaboah, however, cautioned that the sector's full potential could only be unlocked if farmers were provided with essential resources, including access to appropriate technology, robust markets, high-quality planting materials, effective extension services, and streamlined regulatory mechanisms. He warmly welcomed the establishment of the regional TCDA office, recognizing its pivotal role in bringing vital regulatory and technical services directly to the doorstep of farmers and other participants within the tree-crop value chain. This local presence is expected to significantly aid in the TCDA land release traditional authorities issue by providing clearer guidelines and support.

This development signals increased regulatory focus from the TCDA on protecting agricultural lands, particularly tree-crop farms, from illegal mining activities. Lawyers advising traditional authorities on land management or clients in the agricultural sector should be aware of potential enforcement actions or legal challenges related to land leases or permissions granted for mining on such lands, and ensure compliance with the TCDA's mandate.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times