The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Chiefs on Whose Lands GREL Operates (ACLANGO) was held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Marc Genot Hall, ACLANGO Secretariat, Agona Nkwanta. The meeting, which is a significant event on the Association’s calendar, brought together Paramount Chiefs, Divisional Chiefs and Odikros from communities in which GREL operates.
The Chairman of ACLANGO and Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove Traditional Area, Nana Kwesi Agyeman IX, commended GREL for its continued support to sustainability, community development and cordial relationship with Nananom. He noted that the meeting serves as an important platform to address shared concerns. He appreciated GREL for responding to the request for additional weighing centres but appealed for more to be established to ease the burden on rubber farmers. He also raised concern about the increasing export of raw rubber (cuplumps), which is affecting local processing factories, limiting job creation, and reducing national economic benefits. He further condemned illegal mining (galamsey) activities destroying rubber plantations, warning that chiefs involved in such practices would not be supported if apprehended. He expressed hope for continued collaboration and strengthened relations in the future.
The Managing Director of GREL, Mr. Thierry Cauchy, lauded Nananom for the peaceful and cordial relationship. He highlighted GREL’s effort to community development, citing initiatives such as CSR projects and the donations. He noted that while local community challenges are gradually being managed, the rubber industry now faces bigger issues, particularly with rubber exports, all of which are affecting both farmers and the company’s operations. To support farmers, he explained that GREL is expanding farm-gate purchasing systems to make rubber sales more accessible, despite financial limitations in expanding weighbridge infrastructure. He further emphasized that export challenges are impacting production levels and employment, although GREL continues to process locally produced rubber and contribute to job creation. He called for stronger collaboration across the industry to better organize farmers and address the growing issue of unprocessed rubber exports.
Mr. Perry Acheampong, Corporate Affairs Manager, elaborated on the Managing Director’s address by outlining key corporate social responsibility initiatives (CSR). He highlighted a pipeline of major projects for 2026, including infrastructure in education and healthcare across several communities. However, he expressed concern over the export of raw rubber, which is negatively impacting local processing, employment, and the broader rubber industry in Ghana. He appealed to traditional leaders to encourage farmers to supply rubber to GREL and cautioned against the rising menace of illegal mining (galamsey), urging them to protect company lands to protect livelihoods and the environment.
Mr. Joseph Nelson, Western Regional Minister, praised GREL and traditional leaders for their role in sustaining development and emphasized the critical importance of the rubber industry to livelihoods, employment, and economic growth in the Western Region. He noted that despite its contributions, the sector faces serious challenges, particularly illegal mining (galamsey), and the increasing export of raw rubber, which threatens local processing, job creation, and long-term sustainability. Highlighting the need for balanced solutions, he explained that while farmers seek fair prices and market access, unchecked exports could undermine industrial growth. He therefore called for collaboration among all stakeholders to protect the industry, promote fair pricing, curb galamsey and safeguard investments, stressing the vital role of chiefs in ensuring sustainable practices and maintaining peace.
Present at the event were Awulae Amihere Kpanyile, Omanhene of Atuabo; Awualae Attibruksu III, Omanhene of Lower Axim Awulae Angamatuo Gyan, Omanhene of Gwira, and host of other Divisional chiefs, Mr. Jude Fiifi Cudjoe, Community Relations Manager, parents of scholarship beneficiaries and staff of GREL.