The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has announced the full nationwide rollout of a new certification system aimed at regulating the transportation and trade of key tree crops in Ghana.
The system, known as the Tree Crops Conveyance Certificate System (CCS), requires licensed traders and transporters to obtain official certification from the authority before moving specified tree crop commodities across the country.
In a public announcement, the authority said the initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen oversight in the sector and ensure that the sourcing and movement of tree crops comply with approved industry standards.
“The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has the mandate to regulate and develop the production, processing and trading of tree crops namely Cashew, Coconut, Oil palm, Rubber, Mango, and Shea (collectively C-CORMS),” the authority said.
The TCDA said the certification requirement applies to individuals and companies licensed to trade in the commodities, stressing that the certificate would validate that products being transported have been sourced and traded in line with the authority’s regulations.
“This announcement is to inform the general public, particularly farmers, traders, transporters, and value chain actors that the Tree Crops Conveyance Certificate System (CCS) is now fully operational nationwide,” the authority stated.
Officials explained that the introduction of the system is intended to improve transparency and accountability within the industry, while also helping to curb illegal trading activities.
“The CCS enhances traceability, transparency, and accountability across tree crops value chains. It enables TCDA to monitor commodity movement, curb illegal trading, and ensure that only licensed operators participate in the sector,” the statement added.
Under the arrangement, transporters of the specified crops must secure the conveyance certificate either from TCDA zonal offices across the country or from designated checkpoints located at commodity sourcing points.
To enforce compliance, TCDA said its officers are working with other state institutions at monitoring points across the country.
“TCDA Compliance Officers in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, Ghana Police Service, Customs Service and Ghana Immigration Service are stationed at designated checkpoints to verify that all tree crops in transit have a valid TCDA Conveyance Certificate,” the authority said.
The authority warned that failure to obtain the required certification before transporting the commodities could attract sanctions under the relevant laws.
“Failure to comply with the CCS requirement may attract sanctions under TCDA and other applicable laws,” the statement said.
TCDA also called on farmers, traders, transporters and other actors within the sector to cooperate fully with the new system, noting that voluntary compliance would help ensure smoother operations in the industry.
The authority said the certification system is expected to strengthen traceability across the value chain, promote fair participation among sector players and support domestic value addition in Ghana’s growing tree crops sector.
The TCDA was established under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) and operates under the Tree Crops Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2471) to oversee the development and regulation of the country’s major tree crop industries.
Read the entire announcement below;
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:
TREE CROPS CONVEYANCE CERTIFICATE SYSTEM (CCS)- IN FULL OPERATION
The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) governed by the Tree Crops Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) and its implementing regulations, Tree Crops Regulations, 2023 (L.I 2471) wishes to inform the public that:
1. The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has the mandate to regulate and develop the production, processing and trading of tree crops namely Cashew, Coconut, Oil palm, Rubber, Mango, and Shea (collectively C-CORMS).
2. This announcement is to inform the general public, particularly farmers, traders, transporters, and value chain actors that the Tree Crops Conveyance Certificate System (CCS) is now fully operational nationwide.
3. Individuals or companies licensed by TCDA to trade in tree crops commodities must obtain a TCDA Conveyance Certificate before transporting these crops within Ghana. The certificate validates that the sourcing and trading in the commodities are in accordance with the standards approved by the Authority.
4. The CCS enhances traceability, transparency, and accountability across tree crops value chains. It enables TCDA to monitor commodity movement, curb illegal trading, and ensure that only licensed operators participate in the sector.
5. The TCDA Conveyance Certificate can be obtained from TCDA Zonal Offices nationwide or the nearest checkpoint at the source of the commodity.
6. TCDA Compliance Officers in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, Ghana Police Service, Customs Service and Ghana Immigration Service are stationed at designated checkpoints to verify that all tree crops in transit have a valid TCDA Conveyance Certificate.
7. Failure to comply with the CCS requirement may attract sanctions under TCDA and other applicable laws. All tree crops traders, transporters and other value chain actors are strongly advised to obtain the TCDA Conveyance Certificate before transporting all tree crops commodities.
8. TCDA encourages full stakeholder cooperation, emphasizing that voluntary compliance is more effective than enforcement measures for ensuring lawful movement of tree crops.
9. The TCDA Conveyance Certificate System is intended to strengthen traceability within the tree crops value chain, promote fair and transparent participation by all sector actors, and support domestic value addition, while ensuring that Ghana continues to uphold its commitments under applicable international trade agreements.
10. For assistance, contact the nearest TCDA office or the Executive Office at: No. 20 Nii Tsatse Dzani Street, East Legon – Ajiringanor, Accra (GPS: GD-253-5931) | Hotlines: 030 398 1790 | 024 536 6334 | 055 187 9606
“OUR C-CORMS – OUR FUTURE!”
…Signed…
Chief Executive Officer
Tree Crops Development Authority
ALL MEDIA HOUSES.
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