PAC urges Tree Crops Development Authority to justify GH¢25m in funds

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has urged the Tree Crops Development Authority to put about GH¢25 million held in its account to productive use to support its operations and growth.

The call was made during the fifth day of public hearings on the 2025 audit reports, where the Committee examined the Authority’s work and urged management to ensure that available funds contribute to its mandate.

The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Andy Osei Okrah, told the Committee that the institution regulates the cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango and shea industries.

He also said the Authority had been providing training to farmers to improve their yields.

The Committee commended Dr Okrah and his management team for their work but urged them to sustain their efforts. It also asked the Authority to obtain ownership documents for vehicles purchased for the institution.

In a separate matter, the Committee directed the former Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region Limited (ICOUR), Benedict Bonaventure Aligeba, to vacate his official bungalow following the expiry of the one-year retirement period.

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, which governs the procurement of goods, works and services using public funds.

It also urged the company to enrol on the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) to support compliance with public procurement requirements.