Thousands of women who depend on shea collection and processing for their livelihoods could soon benefit from stronger coordination, improved market access and increased investment following the launch of the National Shea Commodity Platform (NSCP) in Tamale.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) with support from development partners, seeks to bring together key actors across the shea value chain to address longstanding challenges that have limited the sector’s growth despite rising global demand.
For many rural women in northern Ghana, shea is more than a seasonal commodity—it is a critical source of household income. Yet the industry has struggled with fragmented interventions, inadequate investment, inconsistent quality standards and weak market coordination.
Speaking at the launch, TCDA Chief Executive Officer Dr Andy Osei Okrah said the platform would provide the unified leadership needed to transform Ghana’s shea industry into a competitive and sustainable contributor to economic development.
He noted that while the global shea market is expected to exceed US$5.5 billion by 2033, Ghana has yet to fully capitalise on the opportunity, largely because much of its produce is exported in raw form with limited local value addition.
The new platform is expected to encourage collaboration among government agencies, researchers, financial institutions, private businesses, processors and exporters to strengthen every stage of the value chain—from production to processing and international trade.
Officials say the initiative will also support policy advocacy, improve quality standards, promote climate resilience and attract investment into the sector.
Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stressed that more than 600,000 women rely directly on shea collection and processing as an economic safety net, making reforms in the sector essential for rural livelihoods and women’s empowerment.
Industry stakeholders also highlighted threats including climate change, bushfires, illegal logging and agricultural expansion, warning that coordinated action is needed to safeguard the future of the shea landscape.
The platform includes technical working groups dedicated to production, climate resilience, processing, quality standards, market access, research and gender inclusion, with the TCDA serving as host of its secretariat.
As Ghana seeks to diversify its agricultural exports and expand local processing industries, stakeholders believe the National Shea Commodity Platform could become a key driver of job creation, export growth and economic resilience across the country’s northern regions.
By Nadra Mohammed
