Beginning May 2, 2025, all businesses and individuals engaged in the export of unprocessed rubber, cashew, or shea from Ghana must first obtain written authorisation from the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), in line with new regulatory measures announced by the authority.
In a public notice issued and signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, Mr. Andy Osei Okrah, the Authority underscored its legal mandate under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) and Tree Crops Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2471), to regulate and develop the production, processing, and trading of key tree crops including rubber, cashew, shea, mango, coconut, and oil palm.
“This directive serves to inform all Actors and Entities involved in the export of unprocessed rubber, cashew, and shea of their obligation to comply with the provisions of the Tree Crops Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2471),” the notice stated.
According to the TCDA, Regulation 50 of L.I. 2471 will be activated on the said date, making it mandatory for all exporters of the three specified crops to secure a valid permit from the Authority prior to shipment.
In a move aimed at streamlining export operations and ensuring regulatory compliance, the Authority has also directed that: “All TCDA Licensed Exporters are therefore advised to regularise their export transactions with the Authority and ensure full compliance with L.I. 2471.”
Furthermore, exporters will now be required to provide proof of payment of the TCDA development levies before they are issued with a Phytosanitary Certificate by the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD). The TCDA clarified that the Phytosanitary Certificate, a vital document for international trade in plant products, would not be issued without this confirmation.
“Failure to comply with this directive constitutes a breach of the law and may attract sanctions in accordance with the relevant provisions of the TCDA Act,” the Authority warned.
Exporters and stakeholders seeking to obtain the necessary permit have been advised to visit the TCDA head office located at No. 20 Nii Tsatse Dzani Street, East Legon-Ajiringanor in Accra (GhanaPost GPS: GD-253-5931). Further enquiries can be directed via telephone at 0303 981 790 / 0243 946 145 or by email at [email protected].
The directive is part of broader efforts by the TCDA to ensure value addition within the tree crop industry and promote Ghana’s long-term economic development through regulated and sustainable trade.