In a significant stride to harness the untapped potential of shea production and marketing in Ghana, a 15-member Shea Technical Working Group was inaugurated in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, on January 25, 2024,
with the aim of coordinating and collaborating to leverage the shea industry to boost the economy growth and development.
The inauguration had the gracing presence of high-profile Government officials and personalities, including the Chief of Nakwabi, Bole Traditional Area, Nakwabi Wura Awudu Adam Tampuri, who was the Chairperson for the occasion, the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Shani Alhassan Saibu, as the Special Guest of Honour, and the Project Manager of the Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work (PE4DW) at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. David Marco, emphasising the commitment by partnering institutions to ensure the success of the endeavour.
Underscoring the importance and potential impact of the shea sector on Ghana’s economic development, the establishment of the technical working group is ably funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) through the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work (PE4DW) Project, with technical assistance from Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board (COCOBOD).
The primary objective of the Shea Technical Working Group is to provide expert advice and guidance to unlock the full economic potential of shea within the Ghanaian economy. With its 15-membership, composed of professionals and experts from various relevant fields, the Group is poised to offer strategic insights and recommendations to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of the shea industry.
The establishment of the Working Group holds immense promise for Ghana’s economy. By tapping into the rich resources and cultural heritage of shea production, the country stands to benefit from increased employment opportunities, income generation, export revenue and sustainability, in line with broader national goals of poverty reduction, gender empowerment, and rural development.
With robust support from key stakeholders and a mandate to provide expert guidance, the Group is poised to catalyze positive change and drive sustainable economic growth, as Ghana continues to harness its tree crops and foster innovation, the shea sector would serve as a beacon of opportunity and prosperity for the nation and its people.
The inauguration of the Working Group re-affirmed the commitment by Government, while highlighting the pivotal role of shea in the Ghanaian economy, as well as its significant impact on the livelihoods of persons engaged in the value chain of the tree crop. Membership of the Technical Working Group comprises:
| Dr. Foster Boateng | Deputy CEO, Operation, TCDA | Chairperson |
| Dr. Ebenezer Owusu | Deputy CEO Agronomy & QC, COCOBOD | Co-chair |
| Chief Awudu A.Tampuri | Traditional/Local Representative | Member |
| Dr. Teye Barnor | Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), Bole | Member |
| Dr. Linda Dari | ILO Rep. Tamale | Member |
| Mr. Salam Dauda | Regional MOFA-DCS, Tamale | Member |
| Mr. Prince Nunoo | Global Shea Alliance, Accra | Member |
| Mr. Kwasi Frimpong | Forestry Commission, Tamale | Member |
| Prof. Abukari Alhassan | West Africa Centre for Shea Innovation and Research Tamale | Member |
| Mr. Sampson Konlan | USAID, Market Systems and Resilience Activity, Tamale | Member |
| Mr. Senyo Kpelly | Shea Nuts Traders (Association rep.) | Member |
| Madam Rita Dampson | Shea butter processors (Association rep.) | Member |
| Alhaji Thomas Abdul Abdulla | Shea Networks Ghana (Local NGOs rep.) | Member |
| Mr. Padmakar Dovva | Private Sector Companies (International buyers/traders rep | Member |
| Mr. Sumaila Dubie Alhassan | Shea Value Chain Specialist, TCDA | Member |
