Tamale: The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) has launched the National Shea Commodity Platform (NSCP) to strengthen coordination among actors in the country's shea industry. The initiative aims to transform the sector into a competitive and sustainable contributor to national economic development.
According to Ghana News Agency, the NSCP is comprised of the TCDA, a National Shea Advisory Committee, a Secretariat hosted by the TCDA, and a Plenary supported by five Technical Working Groups. These groups focus on areas such as Production and Climate Resilience, Processing and Quality Standards, Market Access and Trade Facilitation, Gender and Youth Inclusion and Advocacy, and Research, Innovation and Development.
The platform is designed to enhance stakeholder coordination, support policy advocacy, improve market access, promote climate resilience, mobilize investments, and improve livelihoods within the country's shea value chain. This is particularly significant for women, who are central to the industry.
The launch event was attended by various representatives, including those from public institutions, development partners, traditional authorities, research institutions, financial institutions, civil society organizations, private sector, shea processors, aggregators, and exporters, all of whom are members of the NSCP.
Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, CEO of TCDA, highlighted that the establishment of the NSCP marks an evolution from the Shea Technical Working Group, initiated in January 2024 in collaboration with the International Labour Organization. The NSCP aims to address the challenges facing the sector by providing a unified voice and coordinated mechanisms for advancement.
Dr. Okrah also mentioned that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reduction Programme and its partners, has facilitated the creation of the NSCP. The TCDA has agreed to host its secretariat to ensure sustainability beyond donor-funded interventions.
Shea remains an economic safety net for over 600,000 women who are directly involved in its collection and processing. It is one of the most crucial income sources for rural households in the northern part of the country, with annual production ranging between 130,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes, valued at approximately US$118 million.
Despite its importance, the sector faces structural challenges, including fragmented stakeholder engagement and weak coordination across the value chain. The NSCP aims to address these issues and transform the sector into a competitive industry capable of job creation, export revenue generation, and industrialization.
Dr. Okrah highlighted the growing global shea market, valued at approximately US$2.75 billion and projected to exceed US$5.5 billion by 2033, offering significant opportunities for value addition, local processing, and industrialization.
UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, Mr. Niloy Banerjee, represented by Mr. Ayirebi Frimpong, described the NSCP launch as a pivotal moment for coordination in the shea sector, moving from fragmentation to a more coordinated approach.
Northern Regional Minister Mr. Ali Adolf John, represented by Mr. Alhassan Fuseini, emphasized the importance of the launch as a turning point for the growth of the shea industry, urging stakeholders to promote collaboration, research, innovation, market access, and women's economic empowerment.
Mr. Aaron Adu, Managing Director of Global Shea Alliance, stated that the NSCP would provide a structured mechanism for engaging government and development partners on market access, infrastructure, finance, climate resilience, and environmental protection.
Dr. Hugh Brown, CEO of the Forestry Commission, conveyed that the NSCP is part of the broader Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reduction Project, with support from the Green Climate Fund, UNDP, and the Global Shea Alliance, emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, transparency, and shared responsibility within the sector.