Tree Crops Development Authority warns shea buyers over price violations

The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has warned companies within the shea industry that they face potential prosecution and the revocation of their operating licenses following a series of enforcement operations in Accra and Tamale. On October 15, 2026, the authority uncovered significant breaches of pricing and quality regulations, specifically targeting firms that fail to adhere to the government-mandated minimum price for raw shea nuts.

During the operation, which was supported by personnel from the military and the police, the TCDA identified several companies purchasing shea nuts below the approved minimum price of GH‵9.01 per kilogram. Beyond pricing violations, investigators found that some companies were trading nuts with excessive moisture content, a practice that undermines the quality standards of the industry. These actions are in direct violation of the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019, and its accompanying regulations established in 2023.

Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, emphasized that the authority would hold non-compliant companies accountable to ensure the sustainability of the sector. He noted that previous submissions of supplier lists by some companies were inadequate and lacked the transparency required for effective oversight. Consequently, the TCDA has directed all affected firms to submit comprehensive and accurate supplier lists to verify that they are paying farmers the fair, regulated price.

This enforcement exercise reflects a broader effort by the TCDA to sanitize the tree crop sector and protect the livelihoods of local farmers who rely on shea production. By enforcing strict adherence to both pricing and quality standards, the authority aims to promote fair trade practices and enhance the global competitiveness of Ghana’s shea products. The TCDA has signaled that these monitoring exercises will continue across the country to ensure full compliance with the law.