REMARKS BY THE CEO OF TCDA AT THE INAUGURATION AND LAUNCH OF THE SHEA TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP IN TAMALE ON JAN 25, 2024.

As delivered 

Nakwabi-wura Chairman,

Honourable Northern Regional Minister,

Distinguished Guests,

Valued Stakeholders,

The media,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Happy New Year to you all.

I am truly honored to welcome each one of you to this pivotal moment in our journey—the inauguration and launch of the Shea Technical Working Group in Tamale. A few weeks ago, on the 14th and 15th of November 2023, we convened to meticulously outline the parameters for establishing the Pricing Mechanism/Formula for shea. The object of this enterprise is to dismantle the barriers impeding the marketing of shea nuts in Ghana.

Nakwabi-wura Chair, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), established by an Act of Parliament, Act 1010, is a body corporate with perpetual succession to regulate and develop the production, processing, and trading of tree crops (cashew, shea, mango, coconut, rubber, and oil palm) in a sustainable environment.

In our relentless pursuit of enabling a regulatory framework that stimulates private sector investment—particularly in the shea industry—TCDA is now laying the foundation for a technical working group on shea. This monumental effort is made possible with the technical backing of COCOBOD and financial support from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) through the ILO Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work (PE4DW) Project. The establishment of this working group signifies a giant leap forward in our shared commitment to advancing the shea industry in Ghana.

The shea sector is not merely a player; it's a key player in Ghana's agricultural economy, holding immense potential for growth and development. Beyond being a livelihood for thousands of smallholder farmers and rural communities, it stands as a significant contributor to the nation's export earnings. Shea nuts and butter production represent accessible income-generating activities, particularly for rural women in Northern Ghana, contributing substantially to household food security. According to the 2023 African Journal report, approximately 16 million women, half of them in West Africa, are engaged in shea-related activities.

Nakwabi – Wura Chair, in the global market, Ghana stands tall among the shea giants, exporting an estimated US$92.6 million worth of shea butter (38,792 tonnes) in 2022 and US$20 million worth of kernels (36,162 tonnes) in 2021. Custom Market Insights (CMI) projects a remarkable growth in the Global Shea Butter Market, from USD 2.5 billion in 2021 to an anticipated USD 5.2 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8% between 2022 and 2030.

Despite its undeniable significance, the shea industry is faced with challenges such as low productivity, inadequate processing facilities, and limited market access. This is what occasioned the Government’s decision to establish the Tree Crops Development Authority to spearhead the development, regulation, and promotion of tree crops, including shea, across the nation and beyond.

In alignment with our mandate at TCDA, we have set in motion the formation of the Shea Technical Working Group—a convergence of relevant and diverse professionals drawn from the public and private sectors, research institutions, academia, and civil society organizations. This working group epitomizes our dedication to fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and instigating innovation within the shea industry. Our collective expertise and resources, when harnessed harmoniously, will yield tangible and sustainable impacts for all shea value chain activities.

This working group stands as a platform for coordinating efforts, sharing best practices, and addressing sector-specific challenges. It will also serve as a forum for dialogue, advocacy, and collaboration, all with the overarching goal of elevating the quality, productivity, and competitiveness of the shea industry. Through strategic interventions, research endeavours, and capacity-building initiatives, the Shea Technical Working Group aspires to enhance the entire value chain from production, processing, and marketing.

Nakwabi-Wura Chair, as we embark on this transformative journey, I implore all stakeholders to actively engage in the activities of the Shea Technical Working Group, contributing your unique perspectives and expertise. Whether you are a shea farmer, processor, trader, consumer, researcher, or policymaker, your involvement is paramount to the success of our collective endeavours. Together, we can catalyze positive transformation, creating a more vibrant and sustainable shea industry that benefits every participant along the value chain.

My deepest gratitude goes to the ILO, particularly through its Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work (PE4DW) Project, with funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), for their generous support in establishing this technical working group and developing a pricing mechanism/formula for shea. To our development partners and other corporate bodies, I urge you to support TCDA's efforts to create an enabling environment for the regulation and development of the tree crops sector, especially the shea industry.

In conclusion, Nakwabi-Wura Chair, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Ghana, our partners, and all stakeholders for their unwavering support and commitment to the shea industry. To the members of the Shea Technical Working Group, I wish you the very best in your important mandate. Let us seize this opportunity to collaborate, innovate confidently, and unlock the full potential of the shea industry for the prosperity of Ghana and its people.

Thank you.