The Rubber Farmers Association of Ghana (RUFAG) has denounced the call by rubber processors for a complete ban on raw rubber exports, arguing it is not motivated by national interest.
According to the Association, it is a deliberate attempt to monopolise the market, suppress competition, and force farmers to sell rubber cup lumps at artificially low prices.
During a protest at the Western Regional Coordinating Council to submit their petition to the Regional Minister for onward submission to the President and the Minister of Trade and Industry, members of the Association clad in red bands, carried placards bearing messages such as: “No Difference Between Processors and Exporters,” “Raw Rubber Trade is for Ghanaians, Not the Chinese,” “Let Them Produce Our Tyres If We Ban Exports,” and “Save Our Rubber Farmers,” among others, as they countered the call for a raw rubber export ban.
The Secretary, Michael Nyarku, who presented the petition indicated it is not a measure to protect industrialization, but a deliberate strategy to suppress competition, and force farmers to accept artificially low prices, while challenging the claim that processors are the sector’s primary job creators.
He also stated that while the processing plants employ fewer than 1,000 people, the broader farming and supply chain supports hundreds of thousands.
“The processors’ push for an export ban is not about protecting national industrialization. It is a deliberate attempt to monopolize the market,
suppress competition and force farmers to sell rubber cup lumps at artificially low prices.
Experience has shown that when competition is restricted, processors dictate prices, farmers suffer, and rural livelihoods collapse,” he said.
The Association insists Ghana currently lacks advanced rubber processing factories and questions the kind of processing the domestic processors are undertaking.
Mr. Nyarko disclosed that thousands of rubber farmers have lost their tappers to galamsey, citing low wages caused by depressed raw rubber prices.
“Most so-called processors merely convert rubber cup lumps into Technically Specified Rubber (TSR), which remains a primary commodity for export. This level of value addition can be achieved even by farmers through proper drying techniques.” He mentioned.
The Association argued that genuine industrialisation is built on innovation, investment, and competitiveness not on protectionist policies that harm farmers.
“After more than five decades of operation, GREL and their French allies have not transitioned into the production of finished rubber goods such as car tyres, gloves, belts, or medical supplies.” He added.
The Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, who received the petition, assured them of the government’s firm commitment to protecting their interests and securing a sustainable future for their work.
“We are all aware that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government did not come to collapse the rubber industry. We recognise that this industry comprises farmers and an entire value chain. Therefore, the government will critically examine the industry in its entirety to find a lasting and sustainable solution.” He stated.
By Ebenezer Atiemo, 3NEWS
