Stakeholders in Ghana’s oil palm industry have called for consistency and cohesiveness in the development and implementation of policies for the sector.
At the third Annual General Meeting of the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), held in Accra on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, attendees appealed to the government to tailor its policies to the sector’s unique needs.
In his keynote address, Nicholas Issaka Gbana, a development economist, emphasized the necessity of policy consistency and coherence, warning that contradictory decisions could hinder industry progress.
He highlighted the similarities between the Feed Ghana and Grow24 policies, questioning the need for two separate initiatives with identical objectives.
“These flagship programs, though well-intentioned, are parallel in structure and duplicative in nature. Both identify oil palm as a priority crop, yet their overlapping objectives and strategies risk confusion, resource competition, and fragmented implementation,” he stated.
Gbana urged the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) to lead efforts in ensuring effective coordination and consistency in policy development to support the oil palm industry’s growth.
In his welcome address, Samuel Avaala, the immediate past president of OPDAG, stressed the importance of unity and cohesion to advance the association’s interests.
With Ghana aiming to emulate Malaysia’s success in the oil palm industry, Avaala reiterated the need for a unified approach and steadfast pursuit of the sector’s goals.
Dr. Andy Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, affirmed that his organization is prepared to spearhead policy alignment and coherence, with efforts already underway.
He announced that TCDA, in collaboration with key government ministries and development partners, is working to harmonize policies and reduce fragmentation.
Regarding regulatory enforcement, Dr. Okrah highlighted the launch of an online licensing and registration platform for value chain actors, with field registration set to commence soon.
“A Seed and Seedling Production Policy, supported by MOFA and Solidaridad, is also slated for launch to ensure farmers’ access to certified planting materials,” he added.
The AGM saw OPDAG elect its new national executives, with Paul Kwame Amaning emerging as president.
