Tamale, Ghana – In a ceremony that underscored the government’s push for agricultural diversification, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) officially commissioned its new Tamale Zonal Office on Thursday. The office, which will serve the five northern regions, is expected to bring TCDA’s services closer to farmers, processors, and traders, and to act as a catalyst for job creation, investment, and value‑addition in the shea sector.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, described the Tamale office as a “transformational milestone.” He explained that the hub will coordinate activities along the shea value chain, from nut collection and aggregation to processing, branding, trading, and export. “Our vision is to create over a thousand direct and indirect jobs across the shea ecosystem,” Dr. Okrah said, adding that the office will also serve as a training centre for youth, offering skills development in shea processing, packaging, and marketing.
The new zonal office aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), which seeks to use agriculture as a springboard for industrialisation and inclusive growth. “This initiative fits squarely within AETA’s goals of job creation, value addition, and economic empowerment,” Dr. Okrah noted.
Prof. William Oduro, Chairman of the TCDA Board, praised the leadership for its dedication, pledging the Board’s full support to ensure that the shea sector benefits from the new structure. “We are committed to moving TCDA beyond cocoa and turning shea into a major engine of economic development,” he said.
Hon. Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, lauded TCDA and its partners for their commitment to sustainable agriculture. “The presence of TCDA in Tamale will boost the cultivation, processing, and marketing of shea, creating income and employment for our people,” he remarked.
Also in attendance were key stakeholders from the shea industry, including Hajia Rabiatu Abukari, President of the Shea Employers Association of Ghana; Dr. Emmanuel Abeere‑Inga, CEO of the Northern Development Authority; and Alhaji Imoro Issifu, Chairman of the Shea Value Chain Subcommittee of the TCDA Board.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Okrah reiterated TCDA’s pledge to operational excellence, strong partnerships, and inclusive growth. “At TCDA, we say C‑CORMS – Beyond Cocoa. Together, we will uplift livelihoods and strengthen the shea industry for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” he said.
The Tamale Zonal Office is expected to serve as a hub for coordination, training, and investment promotion, positioning the northern regions as a pivotal player in Ghana’s efforts to diversify its agricultural export base and achieve sustainable economic development.
