By Leo Nelson
The Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang has officially commissioned the SHEA 2026 conference, with strong support from the 24-Hour Economy and the Accelerated Export Development Secretariates, aligning with the vision of the Global Shea Alliance.
The Vice President noted the growth of the Alliance since its inception under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama in 2011. The organization has grown from a small group of 48 members into a network of over 900 participants across the continent.
Professor Opoku Agyemang described the shea sector as vital to the economy. She noted that shea butter remains a major source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of women. Their work, she said, sustains households and supports local economies in the northern regions.
“In Ghana, hundreds of thousands of women are involved in shea production, especially in the northern regions, where shea trees play a central role in daily life by providing both food and income,” she said.
She added that Government policy now focuses on moving away from raw material exports. The priority, she explained, is value-added manufacturing under the Reset Agenda, aimed at industry expansion and strengthening economic sovereignty.
On the 24-hour economy policy, she said it will increase productivity and create jobs. It will also promote efficient use of resources. This, in her view, will help the country maximise returns from its natural assets.
Touching on global markets, she pointed to rising demand in the confectionery and cosmetics industries. This trend, she noted, creates new opportunities for Ghanaian businesses. Local enterprises, she urged, must scale up and invest in innovation to stay competitive.
Environmental concerns also featured prominently. She called for the protection of shea parklands to preserve soil fertility and strengthen climate resilience.
The Vice President further called for proper management of the savanna zones. This, she said, will ensure that small-scale producers benefit from the industry. Fair distribution of profits among rural workers, she added, must remain a priority.
Her Excellency expressed confidence in the outcomes of the ongoing discussions. Practical solutions are expected to address challenges in agriculture and industry.
The need for inclusive growth across all sectors was also underscored, with the Vice President pointing to partnerships with 21 African countries as key to promoting the shea industry. Such cooperation, she noted, will help West Africa maintain its leadership in producing high-quality shea products.
Professor Opoku Agyemang also called for a restructuring of export systems, urging a shift from raw kernels to finished products.
“Transforming kernels into butter and then into ingredients for food and cosmetic sectors enables our countries to add more value, generate more jobs, and strengthen rural economies,” she stated.
National wealth, she said, must benefit those working in the fields and processing centres, noting that expanding butter production will create sustainable jobs, strengthen rural economies and reduce dependence on imported finished goods.
She pointed to the presence of trade ministers from across Africa as a sign of strong regional cooperation. Shea parklands, she observed, stretch from Senegal to Uganda.
The Vice President indicated that government remains focused on rebuilding key sectors of the economy, an effort, she said, is aimed at creating a more resilient future.
Environmental protection, she noted, is central to industrial growth. Stakeholders were urged to adopt sustainable practices that preserve the natural environment.
She reiterated that women are the backbone of the shea industry. Support for programmes that build the capacity of female entrepreneurs, she said, remains a priority.
The conference, she noted, marks fifteen years of the Global Shea Alliance. The milestone reflects progress made and opens new opportunities for growth.
Rising demand for shea products in the food and cosmetics industries was also highlighted, with emphasis how Ghana is positioning itself to meet this demand through improved efficiency and expanded processing capacity.
The Vice President officially declared the session open on behalf of the President of the Republic of Ghana, encouraging participants to form strong partnerships to drive economic transformation across Africa.