Accra: AAK Ghana Limited, a prominent producer and buyer of shea products, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to enhance value addition, boost competitiveness, and foster sustainable growth in Ghana's shea industry.
According to Ghana News Agency, the agreement formalizes a partnership between the Government and AAK, one of the world's largest producers and buyers of shea products. This collaboration aims to enhance local processing capacity, strengthen small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and elevate Ghana's position in the global shea market.
A statement issued in Accra revealed that the MoU was signed by Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Mr. Lasse Skaksen, Vice President and Head of AAK West Africa. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Jakob Linulf, Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, underscoring the strategic importance of this partnership to Ghana's agribusiness and industrial transformation objectives.
The statement highlighted the partnership's focus on inclusive growth across the shea value chain, with particular emphasis on women collectors, youth employment, and sustainable sourcing practices. AAK, which has been operating in Ghana since 1958, reiterated its long-term dedication to the country and belief in Ghana's potential to become a regional hub for value-added shea processing.
AAK's commitment is further reflected in the recent FairWild certification of its Kolo Nafaso programme, the first ever for shea, setting a new standard for ethical sourcing and positively impacting over 230,000 women collectors throughout the region.
Mr. Skaksen stated that Ghana has the potential to become a global leader in value-added shea processing, and AAK is committed to being a long-term partner in this endeavor. He emphasized the company's dedication to investing in local capacity, sustainable sourcing, and broader economic inclusion.
Under the MoU, AAK plans to expand its Kolo Nafaso direct sourcing programme, which currently supports over 230,000 women shea collectors by providing access to finance, capacity-building, and guaranteed markets. In the coming years, the programme aims to include an additional 70,000 women, primarily in northern Ghana, increasing the total number of beneficiaries to over 300,000. This expansion will entail further investment in logistics, warehousing, and supply chain enhancements.
AAK also announced its intention to promote skills development and local value addition through the creation of the AAK Ghana Innovation Academy. The Academy will focus on enhancing SME viability, increasing youth employability, and building technical expertise in the shea and broader plant-based oils and fats sectors.
Additionally, AAK expressed plans to invest in local shea processing facilities in Ghana, utilizing advanced technology to boost value addition, generate over 100 jobs, and improve export competitiveness. The company also pledged to support shea reforestation and parkland preservation efforts in collaboration with the Tree Crops Development Authority and other stakeholders to ensure the industry's long-term sustainability.
Mr. Opoku noted that the MoU aligns with government priorities, including the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) and the Feed Ghana Programme, particularly the Feed the Industry sub-programme. He assured that the Ministry would continue to facilitate investments and support the success of AAK's initiatives.