Dr Andy Osei Okrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), has assured stakeholders in the rubber sector of the government’s commitment to revitalizing the industry and making it more viable.

As part of this effort, he announced plans to establish regional and zonal offices to enhance monitoring, supervision, and technical assistance within the sector.

Dr Okrah gave the assurance at an open forum for stakeholders within the rubber production value chain during his tour of the Western Region on Wednesday, March 19.

The forum brought together key players, including the Rubber Outgrowers and Agents Association, executive members of ANRAG, farmers, processors, producers, traders, and other value chain operators.

Discussions focused on strengthening collaborations to drive economic growth and improve efficiency in the rubber sector across the region.

Participants raised critical issues such as shortages of raw materials, challenges with plantation produce, inadequate technical support, weak enforcement of laws and regulations, and the deteriorating condition of roads leading to plantation sites.

The two-day tour and stakeholder engagement aimed to provide the TCDA with a deeper understanding of the rubber industry’s operations in the Western Region. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to ensure the sector benefits from improved regulation, enhanced supervision, and stronger partnerships among stakeholders.

Dr. Okrah reaffirmed the government’s awareness of the industry’s challenges and its readiness to provide the necessary support for growth.

“We are fully aware of the challenges facing the rubber industry, particularly the scarcity of raw materials. The government is actively working on measures to address this issue to ensure the rubber sector can operate at optimal capacity and contribute to job creation and economic growth in the region and the nation as a whole,” he stated.

As part of the tour, the TCDA delegation visited the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), which operates two factories in the region with a combined processing capacity of 20 tonnes per hour.
However, GREL is currently operating below its installed capacity due to raw material shortages.

The team also stopped at Golden Latex Products Limited, a leading producer of medical gloves for industrial use in Africa. Located in the Ahanta West District, the company relies heavily on rubber supplies from the region to sustain its production.

Additionally, the delegation visited Yaeric Company Limited, one of the fastest-growing rubber processing and exporting companies in the region. The team also engaged with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research department responsible for coconut operations in the area, gaining first-hand insight into their activities.