Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), recently visited three major oil palm processing companies in the Western and Central Regions to assess operations and explore strategies to strengthen Ghana's oil palm sector. The tour aimed to familiarize himself with the companies activities, identify operational challenges, and propose solutions to boost local production. The companies included in the visit were Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP), Plantations Socfinaf Ghana (PSG), and Twifo Oil Palm Plantation Limited (TOPP), which play pivotal roles in the oil palm value chain and contribute significantly to job creation and the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.

Ghana's annual consumption of palm oil stands at approximately 450,000 metric tonnes, primarily for products like vegetable cooking oil. However, local production is only around 300,000 metric tonnes, creating a deficit of 150,000 metric tonnes that must be imported. Dr. Okrah’s visit started with BOPP, where he engaged the management team to discuss TCDA regulations designed to streamline the sector. The discussions also covered seedling quality and strategies to improve production capacity. BOPP, which produces about 87,000 metric tonnes of palm oil annually, provides jobs for over 2,000 people. The General Manager of BOPP, Ing. Samuel Avaala Awonnea, emphasized the need for stronger regulatory support to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.

At PSG in Daboase, located in the Wassa East District, Dr. Okrah observed the company's operations and noted its impressive processing capacity of 30 tonnes per hour. Since its inception in 2019, PSG has rapidly emerged as a leading palm oil processor and exporter in Africa. The company raised concerns regarding difficulties in land acquisition for expansion. Dr. Okrah reassured PSG of the government’s commitment to supporting stakeholders within the palm oil industry.

The final stop was at TOPP, one of the top five palm oil producers in Ghana. The company focuses heavily on smallholder farmers and outgrower schemes, supporting over 1,894 smallholders and 3,300 outgrowers. Despite its successes, TOPP is grappling with challenges such as land encroachment and acquisition issues, which may affect future growth. During his visit, Dr. Okrah toured the plantation, factory, and community development projects, expressing optimism about the sector’s potential to drive economic growth, generate revenue, and create jobs. He commended the companies for their commitment to job creation and adherence to government policies.

Dr. Okrah emphasized TCDA's ongoing efforts to improve the oil palm value chain, noting that with the right policies, investments, and collaboration between the government and industry players, Ghana could become self-sufficient in palm oil production. “By addressing the production gap, increasing exports, and creating more jobs, we can unlock the sector’s full potential,” he said.
The TCDA, established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010), is tasked with regulating and developing the tree crop industry in Ghana, including oil palm, rubber, cashew, mango, coconut, and shea. Its mission is to improve production, processing, and marketing, ultimately enhancing the sector’s contribution to the national economy. The Authority is committed to working closely with industry stakeholders to address regulatory issues, enhance seedling quality, and support the expansion of the oil palm industry, positioning Ghana as a major player in the global palm oil market.