Membership

Membership Portal Overview

The Cashew Quality Analysts’ Association, Ghana (C.Q.A.A.G) Membership Portal is the central hub for our professional community. This secure platform handles registration, authentication, member management, and restricted features like quality report submissions. It ensures compliance with the Association’s non-profit ethos, ethical standards, and Ghanaian data protection laws.

Upon registration approval by the Membership Committee, the system generates a unique Member ID and access code, allowing for secure onboarding and national-level monitoring.

1. Eligibility & Membership Categories

Eligibility Criteria

Age: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age or of legal majority.
Agreements: Must abide by the Constitution, Code of Ethics, and Membership Agreement.
No Conflicting History: Applicants must have no history of ethical violations or convictions relevant to the industry.

Ethical Eligibility Declaration (Preview)

All applicants are required to sign the “No Conflicting History Acknowledgement Declaration” confirming they have no prior history of actions conflicting with C.Q.A.A.G objectives, including fraud, corruption, or professional misconduct in quality control. False declarations lead to immediate rejection or termination.

Membership Categories

1. Full Members
Experienced quality analysts in cashew quality control with voting rights. Only Full Members are qualified to be licensed by the TCDA to practice cashew quality control.

2. Associate Members
Individuals interested in the Association’s work (e.g., students, trainees) who do not meet full eligibility. Associate members can attend events but do not have voting rights and cannot hold executive office.

3. Corporate Members
Laboratories, processors, business companies, or organizations supporting quality efforts. Non-voting status.

4. Honorary Members
Distinguished individuals nominated by the Board for significant contributions. Non-voting and exempt from dues.

Rights & Duties of Members

Rights

Attend general meetings, workshops, and sponsored events.
Possess a valid Membership Card.
Receive publications, newsletters, and updates.
Vote on matters specified by membership class.
Access member-exclusive resources and directories.

Duties

Uphold the principles and objectives of the Association.
Pay dues promptly as established by the Board.
Comply with all rules, ethical standards, and decisions.
Notify the Secretary of any changes in contact information.

Dues & Fees Structure

Category	Registration Fee (GHS)	Annual Dues (GHS)	Notes
Full Member	[Determined by Board]	[Determined by Board]	Full payment required.
Associate Member	200	75	Half dues.
Corporate Member	500	250	Organizational rate.
Honorary Member	Waived	Waived	No financial obligations.

*Payment instructions: Online via portal. Non-payment for 2 years results in automatic suspension.

Membership Card & Uniform

To ensure uniformity, security, and proper monitoring, all membership identifiers are produced centrally at the National Executive Level (Headquarters in Wenchi).

Membership Card

Production: Centralised at HQ to prevent duplication.
Content: Includes Bio-data, Member ID, Chapter Affiliation, and Security Features.
Validity: Valid for 5 years; renewable annually upon dues payment.
Cost: Covered within Registration Fees/Annual Dues.

Association Uniform & Kits

Design: Approved by the Board and Membership.
Eligibility: Available to all members in good standing.
Purpose: Promotes professional identity and visibility during fieldwork.

Termination & Discipline Procedures

Membership is a privilege that carries responsibilities. Procedures are fair, transparent, and conducted in accordance with Article 2 of the Constitution.

Disciplinary Process

Initiation: Complaint lodged in writing to the General Secretary or Ethics Committee.
Preliminary Review: Ethics Committee assesses merit.
Formal Investigation: Accused member notified and evidence gathered.
Hearing: Member presents defense and calls witnesses.
Decision: Board votes based on Committee recommendations (Dismissal, Warning, Suspension, or Termination).
Notification: Member informed within 14 days. TCDA notified within 30 days if terminated.

Appeals & Reinstatement

Appeal: Submit to General Assembly within 30 days of notice.
Reinstatement: Submit new application, pay outstanding dues, and demonstrate remediation.

2. Application & Admission

Applications are processed via our Online Multi-step Form. Below is an overview of the requirements.

Application Form Requirements

Personal Info: Full Name, Contact Details, Ghana Card ID.
Professional Info: Job Title, Industry Sector, Years of Experience, Educational Qualifications.
Documents: Upload CV, Certificates (PDF).
Declarations:
- Standard Statement of Interest (Commitment to Association values).
- No Conflicting History Declaration.
- Data Protection Consent.

Standard Statement of Interest (Preview)

“I am deeply committed to advancing the highest standards of quality, integrity, and sustainability in Ghana’s cashew industry… I pledge to uphold the Association’s core values of Integrity, Excellence, Sustainability, Professionalism, Collaboration, and Community Empowerment.”

Processing: Applications are reviewed by the Membership Committee within 30 days. Upon approval, you will receive a Welcome Packet and login credentials.

Honorary Membership Nomination

Use the dedicated online form to nominate distinguished individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the industry. Nominations are reviewed by the Board and approved by the General Assembly.

Required Info: Nominator details, Nominee bio-data, Nomination Statement (300-600 words), and Supporting Documents (Letters, Awards, Reports).

3. Member Portal Dashboard

Once logged in, members access a personalized dashboard featuring:

Status View: Membership standing, card validity, and uniform status.
Dues Management: Secure online payment via Mobile Money or Card.
Quality Reports (Full/Corporate Only): Submission forms for Arrival, Dispatch, and Export metrics.
Resources: Exclusive access to directories, forums, and technical publications.
Profile Management: Update contact info and professional details.

Data Protection and Privacy Compliance

Commitment to Minimal Data Storage

The Cashew Quality Analysts’ Association, Ghana (C.Q.A.A.G) adheres strictly to the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843). We collect only the minimum data necessary for membership administration, licensing support, and quality reporting.

Data Handling Principles

Purpose Limitation: Data is used only for stated Association purposes.
Retention: Data is retained only as long as necessary.
Security: All data is encrypted and access-controlled.
No Sharing: Data is never sold. It is shared only where legally required (e.g., TCDA licensing).

No Private Earnings Assurance

C.Q.A.A.G operates exclusively as a non-profit organization. No part of the Association’s earnings or portal fees shall inure to the benefit of any private individual. All funds are dedicated to charitable, educational, and professional objectives.

Governance Structure

General Assembly

The supreme governing body representing all members. It approves policies, elects the Board, and holds leadership accountable. Meets annually at the AGM.

National Leadership

National Executive Officers: President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Organizer, Treasurer. Elected every 4 years.
Board of Directors: Provides strategic oversight. Includes Executives, Chapter Reps, TCDA Rep, and experts.

Committees

Standing committees supporting operations include: Membership, Finance, Programs & Events, Elections, Ethics & Disciplinary, and Data Research.

Regional Chapters

Four semi-autonomous chapters (Sampa, Drobo-Dormaa, Techiman-Bole, Tema-Port) manage localized activities and welfare.

National Executives & Committee Chairpersons Directory

For More information on the chapters visit the chapters page.