In a move poised to reshape the landscape of its agricultural exports, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has announced a mandatory new permit requirement for the export of unprocessed rubber, cashew, and shea. Effective May 2, 2025, all entities involved in the export of these key tree crops will be required to secure a valid written permit from the TCDA before any shipment can proceed.

This significant directive stems from the enforcement of Regulation 50 of the Tree Crops Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2471), which lays out the framework for the production, processing, and trading of selected tree crops within Ghana. The TCDA, established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), holds the mandate to oversee the growth and regulation of six priority tree crops crucial to Ghana's economy: rubber, cashew, shea, mango, coconut, and oil palm.

Andy Osei Okrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, underscored the importance of this new measure, stating that it is strategically designed to ensure comprehensive adherence to the existing legal framework and to bolster the overall integrity of Ghana’s tree crops value chain. He emphasized that this regulation is not merely procedural but a fundamental step towards fostering sustainable practices and enhancing the economic benefits derived from these vital agricultural commodities.

The TCDA has made it unequivocally clear that non-compliance with this new permit requirement will be treated as a breach of the law, potentially subjecting offending exporters to sanctions as outlined in the TCDA Act. This firm stance signals the Authority's commitment to enforcing the regulations and creating a more organized and accountable export sector.

To facilitate a smooth transition and ensure exporters can readily comply with the new directive, the TCDA has provided clear guidelines on the permit acquisition process. Exporters are instructed to directly contact the TCDA office situated at No. 20 Nii Tsatse Dzani Street, East Legon-Ajiringanor, Accra.

Furthermore, the TCDA has outlined an additional crucial step in the export process. Before the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) can issue a mandatory Phytosanitary Certificate – a document confirming the plant health standards of the export consignment – exporters will now be required to present verifiable proof of payment of all applicable development levies to the TCDA. This linkage between levy payment and the issuance of the Phytosanitary Certificate is intended to strengthen revenue collection for the development of the tree crops sector and ensure that all stakeholders contribute to its sustainable growth.