By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq ]
The Northern Region of Ghana has taken a major step in promoting sustainable agriculture with the commissioning of the Tamale Zonal Office of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA). The event, held at the SSNIT Pension Tower in Tamale on November 7, was officiated by the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John.
The ceremony attracted key stakeholders, including the TCDA Board Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Andy Osei Okrah, and representatives from the agriculture sector.
Hon. Ali Adolf John praised the authority for establishing the zonal office, which he says will be instrumental in improving the cultivation and marketing of important tree crops such as shea and cashew. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate with TCDA, highlighting the potential of tree crops in creating jobs and boosting incomes for families across the region.
“The opening of this office marks a new chapter for sustainable agriculture in the North. With proper support, our farmers stand to benefit greatly,” he said.
The Tamale Zonal Office will oversee the registration and licensing of shea value chain actors, implement a minimum farm-gate pricing framework, and promote sustainable parkland management practices. The initiative is expected to create over a thousand direct and indirect jobs, while attracting investments to strengthen the shea industry.
TCDA CEO, Hon. Andy Osei Okrah, expressed gratitude to the President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, for his support, saying the zonal office will serve as a hub for training, value addition, and improved market access for local farmers and processors.
In addition, TCDA has sworn in a seven-member sub-board committee to provide strategic guidance and oversight for the authority’s programs and projects.
The commissioning of the Tamale Zonal Office is seen as a milestone in Ghana’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, strengthen the shea industry, and improve livelihoods in the Northern Region.
