(3 Minutes Read)
The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) has issued a strong warning about the growing influx of smuggled and inferior-quality vegetable oils, saying the illegal trade is endangering Ghana’s edible oil industry and threatening the livelihoods of more than 1.2 million people who depend on the sector.
Speaking during a media briefing in Accra, OPDAG President, Paul Kwabena Amaning, described the issue as a national crisis that requires immediate intervention from the government, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies. “This is not merely an industry challenge—it is a national threat,” Amaning cautioned. “If decisive measures are not taken soon, local producers could collapse, thousands of jobs will be lost, and the nation will forfeit millions of cedis in tax revenue.”
Ghana currently produces about 300,000 metric tonnes of crude palm oil annually, while national demand exceeds 400,000 metric tonnes, leaving a supply gap of approximately 100,000 metric tonnes. OPDAG noted that this deficit has created an opportunity for smugglers to introduce cheap, substandard, and often unsafe vegetable oils into the Ghanaian market.
“These illegal and low-grade imports not only undercut the competitiveness of local manufacturers but also pose serious health dangers to consumers,” Amaning emphasized. At the same event, Dr. Andrew Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), outlined a series of policy recommendations aimed at curbing the menace. These include:
- The establishment of traceability systems to monitor the movement of vegetable oils from refineries to retail outlets.
- Mandatory registration of all transporters and distributors under TCDA oversight.
- Enhanced collaboration among key institutions such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Customs, and National Security.
- The introduction of stricter penalties—including prosecution and custodial sentences—for individuals and businesses involved in smuggling or selling substandard oils.
OPDAG pledged its full support for these proposals and reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with the TCDA and other regulatory bodies to ensure the measures are effectively enforced.
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Amaning further underscored the vital economic role of the oil palm industry, which sustains over 1.2 million Ghanaians across the value chain—from farmers to processors, traders, and transporters. He warned that continued smuggling could dismantle the entire sector if not urgently addressed. “We cannot stand by and watch smuggled oils destroy the progress we’ve made,” he declared. “We urge government to equip and empower the relevant authorities with the logistics and resources needed to dismantle these illegal operations.”
A collective action from government, industry players, media, and the public, stressing that only through unified effort can Ghana protect its edible oil industry, preserve jobs, and safeguard the livelihoods of millions who depend on this crucial agricultural sector.
