The Chairman of the Rubber Processors Association of Ghana (RPAG), Emmanuel Akwasi Owusu, has cautioned that the unchecked export of raw rubber is starving local processors of much-needed raw materials, despite their capacity to absorb the country’s entire output.
M Mr. Owusu underscored that Ghana’s rubber industry has the potential to play a central role in the nation’s industrialisation drive.
However, illegal exports continue to undermine this potential, even after directives from the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) banning such practices.
“In April this year, we had a stakeholder engagement, and TCDA issued a directive that from May 2, 2025, nobody should export rubber or cashew without a permit from the Authority,” he explained.
“The law requires that local processors are adequately supplied before any raw rubber is exported, but despite repeated warnings and evidence, exports are still going on.”
According to Mr. Owusu, Ghana currently has seven rubber processing companies. Yet, one has already collapsed, and another, which was expected to process medical gloves, has been unable to start operations due to the persistent shortage of raw materials caused by uncontrolled exports.
He warned that the situation threatens the survival of local processors and, by extension, Ghana’s broader industrialisation agenda.
“We have the capacity to process everything produced locally. But as long as raw materials are diverted for export, our factories will continue to struggle,” he said.
Mr. Owusu urged authorities to strictly enforce existing laws under Act 1010 of 2019, which mandates the TCDA to regulate six tree crops, including rubber.
He stressed that protecting domestic processors is vital if Ghana is to generate jobs, add value locally, and reduce dependence on imported finished goods.
“The unchecked export of raw rubber is not just an industry problem; it is a national development concern,” he said.
“If we want to industrialise and create opportunities for our people, then our own factories must be prioritized.”
Nonetheless, effective enforcement of the TCDA directive could not only secure raw material supply for local processors but also accelerate Ghana’s ambition to become a competitive player in the global rubber value chain.
