palm oil – Adomonline.com

TCDA announces mandatory registration for palm oil importers starting July 14

Joseph Odotei — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:03:32 +0000

The Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has announced a new regulatory directive requiring all importers of palm oil products to register and obtain permits before importing into Ghana.

The policy, which takes effect on July 14, 2025, aims to promote order, quality, and sustainability within the country’s oil palm sector.

According to a statement issued by the Authority and shared with Joy Business, the regulation covers the importation of Crude Palm Oil (CPO), Crude Palm Olein, and Refined Palm Olein (vegetable oil). It mandates that all importers, processors, and traders in the oil palm value chain must be licensed under the Tree Crops Development Authority Act, 2019 (Act 1010) and L.I. 2471.

The TCDA explained that the move is part of efforts to address longstanding challenges such as market distortions, substandard product circulation, and unfair competition that have negatively impacted local producers, especially smallholder farmers and processors.

“This measure is designed to enforce quality standards, protect local industry players, and ensure a more transparent and accountable import system,” the Authority said.

“It also aims to generate accurate data on import volumes and origins, and to boost investor confidence in the sector.”

Registration must be completed at the TCDA Head Office, located at No. 20 Nii Tsatse Dzani Street, East Legon-Ajiriganor, Accra (GhanaPost GPS: GD-253-5931). For assistance, stakeholders can contact the Authority via 0303 981790 / 0243 946 154 or info@tcda.gov.gh.

The Authority cautioned that failure to comply with the new directive will be treated as a violation of national law and may lead to sanctions in line with the provisions of the TCDA Act and its regulations.

To promote transparency, the TCDA also revealed plans to publish a list of all registered and licensed stakeholders in the oil palm sector.

Ghana’s oil palm industry remains a significant pillar of the agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing to local agro-processing and rural livelihoods.

FDA cautions public against consumption of Palm Oil contaminated with Sudan dye

Faridatu Seidu — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 08:13:39 +0000

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has urged consumers to be extremely vigilant when purchasing palm oil due to ongoing concerns about adulteration.

This warning follows the FDA’s ongoing efforts to combat the presence of harmful substances, particularly the notorious ‘Sudan Four’ dye, which has been found in some palm oil products on the market.

This industrial dye, banned in food products because of its carcinogenic properties, poses a significant health risk to consumers.

The FDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roderick Daddey-Adjei, expressed serious concern about the persistence of this issue despite the Authority’s stringent enforcement measures.

He acknowledged the progress in reducing the occurrence of adulterated palm oil but stressed that even minimal contamination is unacceptable.

“We are still not satisfied with the small percentage that remains, as it indicates that those responsible for this activity are still operating in the shadows. We want to make it clear to anyone considering continuing this practice that their time is running out. In our recent crackdown, we made some arrests and handed them over to the police,” Daddey-Adjei stated.

Source: Adomonline

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Mad rush for palm oil after tanker accident at Winneba roundabout

Abigail Bonney — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:29:55 +0000

A tanker carrying a large quantity of palm oil lost control and overturned at the Winneba roundabout on the Kasoa-Cape Coast highway yesterday.

The accident led to a massive spill that caused heavy traffic congestion in the area.

As news of the accident spread, residents quickly rushed to the scene, armed with gallons, buckets, and other containers to collect the spilled palm oil.

The spill not only caused a significant disruption to traffic but also raised safety concerns, as the oil made the road slippery and potentially hazardous for motorists.

Despite the potential dangers, the scene was filled with individuals trying to take advantage of the unexpected distribution.

Watch video below:

A truck carrying palm oil lost control at the Winneba roundabout on the Kasoa-Cape Coast highway yesterday, spilling large volumes of palm oil and causing heavy traffic. Residents rushed to the scene with gallons and other containers to collect the spilled oil. pic.twitter.com/V8Y2feVJRd

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) August 8, 2024

Adulterated palm oil on markets reduced by 23% – Health Minster

Eric Owusu — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 09:48:39 +0000

Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, has revealed that the rate of substandard and adulterated palm oil in the market has reduced by 23% in 2021.

This, according to him, is due to the strong and effective regulatory measures put in place by the Health Ministry and the Food and Drugs Authority.

He noted that the poor quality of palm oil in the country which skyrocketed to 98% in 2015 has fallen drastically.

Mr. Manu, after been quizzed on how to address the fallen standards, said the measures instituted by Ministry and Authority will be increased to avert the filtration of the market by unwholesome products.

“The Health Ministry and the Foods and Drugs Authority will collaborate to enhance their sensitization drive to drum home the need to produce quality products for consumption in our markets,” he made a statement in Parliament on Thursday.

6,000 jobs in oil palm coming

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 13:37:58 +0000

The Government of Ghana and Unilever on Thursday announced plans to transform the Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) into a state-of-the-art sustainable plantation in the shortest time possible.
This came to light when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Unilever Global, Paul Polman, called on Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia at the Flagstaff House.
Dr Bawumia and Mr Polman agreed on a joint vision, outlining their support for the development of a sustainable oil palm industry in Ghana.
Under the agreement, Unilever and the Government of Ghana would work together to develop the plantation, support small holder farmers and help ensure a positive impact on the local economy.
It is expected to initially create between 3,000 and 6,000 jobs as indicated by the Unilever CEO, with the hope of creating 5 million jobs in the near future.
Dr. Bawumia commended Unilever for the support it has offered the Ghanaian economy over the years through its continuous presence and operations in Ghana.
“Your company is a household name on account of the special contributions you have made to job creation and production of top quality brands and products for the Ghanaian market,” he said. He reiterated that government would continue to create the enabling environment for partnerships with the private sector for growth.
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, pointed out during the signing of the agreement, “We intend to harness opportunities in the agro-processing and manufacturing industries and are indeed delighted about Unilever’s commitment in supporting of our vision to initiate Public-Private Partnerships as vehicles for executing this task. This specific cooperation will focus on the development of a leading edge oil palm plantation and downstream industry.”
This is Mr. Polman’s third visit to Ghana in the last four years. He was accompanied by the African President of Unilever, Bruno Witvoet; Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs for Africa, Dougie Brew; Executive Vice President for Unilever Ghana and Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh; Managing Director of Unilever Ghana, Ziobeieton Yeo and some selected members of the Ghana-Nigeria Leadership team.
Paul Polman also visited the Unilever Ghana factory site in Tema where he interacted with the Board, management and staff of the facility.