The government’s temporary 10-year ban on the export of raw natural rubber has been applauded by the Rubber Processing Association of Ghana (RUPAG).
The association characterised the move in a news release yesterday as a strategic intervention that would guarantee the rubber industry’s viability by providing stakeholders along the value chain with a sufficient supply of raw materials.
RUPAG added that the prohibition would help industry and the government’s 24-hour economy program while increasing both domestic and foreign investment.
“RUPAG highly commends President John Dramani Mahama for his visionary leadership, commitment to industrialisation, and responsiveness to stakeholders’ concerns within the rubber industry,” the statement said.
The group emphasised that it would not misuse the restriction to harm farmers or any other actors while assuring the government, farmers, and other stakeholders of their support for the regulation.
It promised to work with stakeholders to safeguard and maintain the industry while conducting business in a just, accountable, and open manner.
RUPAG reiterated its dedication to the long-term growth of Ghana’s rubber industry through value-adding projects, plantation expansion, and farmer assistance programs.
The statement went on, “The association also pledges its full cooperation with all state institutions responsible for implementing and enforcing the directive to ensure its successful execution in the interest of the industry and the nation as a whole.”
Following a Cabinet decision and talks at the Office of the President under the Accelerated Export Development Program, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) announced the ban in a letter dated April 27, 2026, signed by the sector minister, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare.
The government claims that the directive is a component of initiatives to support value addition and local industrial production.
“Reference is made to the Cabinet decision dated November 11, 2025, and the outcome of the meeting held at the Office of the President, chaired by President John Dramani Mahama, on the Accelerated Export Development Programme,” the letter stated.
“With immediate effect, the export of raw natural rubber from the Republic of Ghana is hereby prohibited for a period of 10 years,” it added.
According to MoTAI, the directive is in line with important government programs, such as the 24-hour economy program, the Accelerated Export Development Program, and the Feed the Industry agenda, all of which are meant to boost local processing, industrial activity, exports, and job creation.
All pertinent authorities, such as the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ghana Police Service, and the Tree Crops Development Authority, were instructed by the ministry to guarantee stringent compliance at all ports, export locations, and borders.
It cautioned that organisations or persons who disobeyed the directive would be subject to penalties under Ghanaian law.
Source: newsthemegh.com