Ghana's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) to deploy GHS 25 million currently held in its accounts. The Committee insists these funds must be put to productive use to support the Authority's operations and foster growth within the tree crop sector.
This directive emerged during the fifth day of public hearings on the 2025 audit reports. The PAC scrutinised the Authority's work, stressing the importance of ensuring available funds contribute directly to its mandate. The TCDA is responsible for regulating and developing industries such as cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea, which are crucial for agricultural exports and rural livelihoods.
This scrutiny aligns with Ghana's broader efforts to enhance public financial management and accountability. The Auditor-General's reports frequently highlight financial irregularities across state institutions. Such interventions by the PAC aim to ensure public funds are used efficiently and effectively. Ghana's economy relies heavily on agricultural exports, making the productive use of funds in sectors like tree crops especially important for national development and foreign exchange earnings.
Andy Osei Okrah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority, informed the Committee about the institution's mandate. He stated that the Authority regulates the cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea industries. Mr. Okrah also confirmed the Authority provides training to farmers to improve their yields and overall productivity. The Committee commended Dr. Okrah and his team for their efforts but urged sustained commitment.
The PAC's call implies a heightened focus on financial discipline and performance across state entities. The Authority will likely need to present a clear plan for how it intends to utilise the GHS 25 million. This situation could lead to increased oversight on the TCDA's projects and spending. Decision-makers and sector stakeholders will be watching for evidence of tangible investments and their impact on tree crop development and farmer support. This also reflects a wider trend of parliamentary committees demanding greater transparency and accountability from public institutions, especially concerning unutilised funds.
Furthermore, the PAC also addressed other issues during its hearings. It directed the former Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region Limited (ICOUR), Benedict Bonaventure Aligeba, to vacate his official bungalow. The Cocoa Processing Company Limited was also cited in the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report for procurement breaches. The Committee advised the company to comply with the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended, and to enrol on the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) to improve compliance. These actions underscore the PAC's comprehensive approach to ensuring financial integrity across various public sector entities in Ghana.