Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee of Parliament, Michael Okyere Baafi, has called on the government to take immediate steps to enforce existing restrictions on the exportation of raw rubber, warning that failure to do so could lead to the collapse of local rubber processing factories and significant job losses.
Speaking to the media in Parliament on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Mr. Baafi alleged that a local Ghanaian agent, acting on behalf of Indian and Chinese companies, is sourcing raw rubber directly from farm gates and exporting it abroad. This practice, he said, is making it increasingly difficult for local processors to obtain the raw materials needed for their operations.
“Our reason for the press conference is what is happening to local rubber processors. About five companies in Ghana process rubber but currently they are unable to source rubber for their work and the reason is that the rubber they are supposed to acquire from farmers is being exported abroad in their raw state,” Mr. Baafi stated.
He highlighted the substantial investments made by these local companies, noting that they have spent huge amounts, including about $50 million, €60 million, and €100 million, to establish their factories. However, these investments are now at risk due to the unavailability of raw rubber.
“The reason is that a Ghanaian has turned himself into an agent for Indians and Chinese and is purchasing raw rubber from the farm gate and exporting it abroad. This is at the expense of those who helped the farmers to secure funds for their farms,” he added.
Mr. Baafi further alleged that this worrying situation is occurring with the tacit involvement of some officials at the Tree Crop Development Authority, which has failed to implement the existing law barring the raw exportation of rubber.
“The good thing however is that there is an existing law that bars raw exportation of rubber and we expect the Tree Crop Authority to implement the law. However they have failed to do that and some persons at the Authority are behind the agents exporting the rubber abroad,” he explained.
Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, the Ranking Member implored the government, including the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Agriculture, and the Minister for Trade, to call the CEO of the Tree Crop Development Authority to order immediately.
“So I am imploring government, the minister for finance, the Minister for agriculture and the minister for trade to call the CEO for the Tree Development Authority to order immediately because if he is not called to order the issues that will come out will shock the whole world. We have a lot of information and evidence,” Mr. Baafi warned.
He stressed that without prompt enforcement of the restrictions, the survival of local rubber processing businesses would be threatened, potentially leading to widespread economic fallout in the sector.