Chief Adams Tampuri with Alhaji Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, Alhassan Shani Shaibu and other
stakeholders
The Savannah Golden Tree Limited, Global Shea Alliance, and Northern Regional Coordinating Council, has organised the World Shea Expo, 2024 in Tamale, the Northern Region.
The Expo, which took place from August 8 -August 10, 2024 was themed, “Nurturing Growth, Empowering Communities”.
Other collaborators include the Tree Crops Development Authority, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), EXIM Bank, and University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana Free Zones Authority, and Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA).
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, who represented the Vice President , Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, said the Shea tree and fruit is very important and an asset to West Africa and Ghana.
“The global value of the shea industry is about US$600 million and according to the Ghana Exports Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana exported US$92.9 million (38,792 MT) of shea butter in 2022. Ghana can increase its share in the market if we can invest more in research, domesticating the shea tree and supporting local processing.”
He indicated that the role of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is to create an enabling environment that supports the growth and sustainability of the shea industry and that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), an agency under my ministry, has long been responsible for this objective.
He encouraged COCOBOD to assist Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) to ensure the shea industry develops to a level where the yields are improved, quality is enhanced, and are competitive on the global stage.
“The gestation period for Shea has been a challenge over the years with some trees fruiting only after 25 years and beyond. The long juvenile phase of 15 to 25 years was the key challenge limiting integrating the crop into the farming systems of the Guinea Savannah belt,” he said.
“It was not considered prudent to plant a crop that would take two decades to bring returns to the farmer. Thanks to COCOBOD through Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), this is over. COBOBOD through CRIG has made tremendous progress as a result of years of research, shortening the gestation period from over 30 years to 3-5 years,” he added.
Mr. Tufeiru said the government’s objective is to promote the domestication of shea to unleash its economic potential in the north just as cocoa and other tree crops have done in the south.
The Executive Director, World Shea Expo 2024, Chief Adams Tampuri, said the shea industry plays a crucial role in job creation, poverty alleviation, and environmental conservation and that it supports countless families and contributes significantly to the national GDP.
“Shea trees are vital for combating desertification and preserving biodiversity. By promoting sustainable practices, we not only enhance productivity but also ensure the long-term health of our environment,” he added.
He stated that the Savannah Golden Tree Ltd is committed to advancing the shea industry through continuous innovation, capacity building, and market expansion and envision a future where Ghanaian shea products are globally recognised for their quality and sustainability.
Chief Tampuri, is optimistic that the World Shea Expo 2024 will be a catalyst for growth and transformation in the shea sector.
“Let us seize this opportunity to learn, network, and build lasting partnerships. Together, we can nurture growth and empower our communities, creating a brighter future for the shea industry and for Ghana,” he added.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaasan Shani Shaibu, commended the Shea Expo 2024 initiative and World Shea Expo 2024 and encouraged all to use their collective expertise and experience to build a bright future for all.
BY Eric Kombat