Africa-Press – Ghana. The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), regulator of the cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber and oil palm sectors, has honoured outstanding stakeholders across the tree crops value chain.
The awardees were recognised at a gala night to climax the four-day 2026 Tree Crops Summit and Exhibition, held on the theme: “Sustainable Growth through Tree Crops Investment: Resetting and Building Ghana’s Green Economy.”
Under the honorary category, President John Dramani Mahama received the Most Outstanding Tree Crops Icon/Ambassador/Promoter Award, while the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was adjudged Most Outstanding Innovative Tree Crop Farmer and Processor.
Mr Eric Opoku, Member of Parliament for Asunafo South and Minister for Food and Agriculture, was honoured for his role in the promulgation of the TCDA Act. Former Ministers of Food and Agriculture, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi and Mr Akoto Owusu Afriyie, were also recognised for initiating, promoting and implementing the TCDA concept.
Other honorary awardees included Mr Seth Osei Akoto, MP for Atwima Mponua, and Mr William Quittoo, the first Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, for their contributions to the passage of the TCDA Act, 2019, and the establishment of the Authority.
In the general category, Dr Erasmus Nartey Tetteh of Food Advancement Ghana emerged as a top performer, receiving four awards across the rubber, mango and coconut value chains.
Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited also won three awards in the oil palm category.
Chief Adams Tampuri, President of the Ghana Cashew Council and head of Chief Adams Farm, received the Tree Crop Champion Award.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour, Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Presidential Advisor and Special Aide, said Ghana was on the verge of an economic revival driven by renewed commitment to the agriculture sector through increased investment, improved marketing and value addition.
She noted that the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry underscored the government’s focus on agribusiness development.
Dr Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, said the awards scheme was designed to inspire competitiveness and attract investment into the tree crops sector.
“It is our way of setting standards and building a culture of performance within the industry,” he said.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Chief Tampuri commended the Authority for the initiative but urged it to broaden its scope to recognise more key players in the sector.
