By Samuel SAM
The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has inaugurated the National Shea Commodity Platform in Tamale to modernise the country’s shea value chain, improve market transparency and strengthen climate-resilient agriculture.
The digital platform will serve as the industry’s policy advisory and coordination body, integrating traceability technology with real-time market data to enhance efficiency and equity across the shea supply chain.
It is expected to connect rural shea nut collectors—predominantly women in northern Ghana—directly with domestic and international buyers, promote fair pricing and reduce dependence on intermediaries.
The platform will also support the measurement of climate-smart agricultural practices and carbon sequestration efforts under the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions (SLER) project, implemented by GhREDD+, the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) and the Forestry Commission with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This will facilitate the channelling of climate finance to communities engaged in landscape conservation.
The inauguration brought together government officials, climate experts, researchers, processors, development partners and shea collectors.
Speaking on behalf of Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John, Savelugu Municipal Chief Executive Alhassan Fuseini described the platform as a strategic intervention to address longstanding challenges in the sector and unlock opportunities for increased exports, value addition and production.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana Resident Representative, Niloy Banerjee, said the initiative would help transform Ghana’s shea industry into a coordinated, inclusive and globally competitive sector capable of creating jobs and increasing export earnings.
Global Shea Alliance Managing Director Aaron Adu noted that growing global demand for shea products presents significant opportunities, but warned that the natural resource base underpinning the industry faces increasing pressure. He said the alliance is supporting sustainable management of shea parklands, climate resilience and livelihood improvements, particularly for women and young people.
Forestry Commission Chief Executive Dr. Hugh C. A. Brown said the platform demonstrates a collective commitment to ensuring the shea industry contributes to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, landscape restoration and rural development.
TCDA Chief Executive Dr. Andrews Osei Okrah said the shea sector remains the least developed among Ghana’s six priority tree crops due to years of fragmented interventions, weak coordination and inadequate investment.
He noted that the establishment of TCDA under Act 1010 of 2019 and Legislative Instrument 2471 was intended to regulate and develop the shea sector alongside cashew, coconut, mango, oil palm and rubber.
According to him, the authority is committed to transforming the shea industry into a competitive and sustainable sector capable of generating employment, increasing export revenue and improving livelihoods.
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