Mr Micheal Okyere Baafi, the Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee of Parliament, who spoke to a section of the media during an interview in Parliament on Tuesday, expressed concern about the activities of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA). He accused the TCDA of allegedly favoring foreign companies that export raw materials, rather than supporting local processors. 

“This has led to a shortage of raw materials for local companies, resulting in reduced production and job losses,” he said. As a result, Mr Okyere Baafi has appealed to the Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade, and Minister of Agriculture to intervene and ensure that the TCDA supports Ghanaian businesses. “We want to call on the minister of finance, the minister of trade, and the minister of agriculture to call the Tree Crop Development Authority to order,” he said. 

Mr Okyere Baafi, also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben South, also expressed frustration that foreign companies were allegedly being allowed to buy raw materials directly from farmers, often at higher prices than local processors could afford. 

That, he explained, had led to a situation where local companies were unable to access the materials they needed, while foreign companies were allegedly exporting them without adding value. “We urge the government to take action to support local raw material processors and promote value-added production in Ghana,” he said. 

According to the MP, local manufacturers, such as Ghana Raw Material Estates, had allegedly been struggling to access raw materials, leading to reduced production and job losses, adding that the company had allegedly lost contracts with big manufacturing companies and had to reduce staff. He noted that the Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism had visited factories to assess the situation and will report to parliament accordingly. 

The Ranking Member also urged the Raw Material and Development Council (RMC) to regulate the activities of companies involved in the exportation of raw materials. “We also urged the government to support local raw material processors and ensure they have access to the materials they need to operate,” he stated. 

The Minister of Finance recently stated that in the budget that goes forward, nobody should export raw materials, a decision welcomed by local manufacturers. The ban on raw material exportation is expected to create jobs, increase tax revenue, and promote value-added production in Ghana. The move is seen as a step towards industrialization and economic diversification.