By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to add value to shea locally instead of exporting raw nuts, warning that the country is losing significant economic benefits by selling the product in its unprocessed form.
He made the call while speaking at the launch of the SheaPark Resource Hub in Wa, Upper West Region, on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The initiative is designed to process shea into finished products such as cosmetics, ointments and food items for both domestic use and export.
President Mahama noted that shea has been used by Ghanaian ancestors for generations, both as food and as a natural cosmetic. He also highlighted that shea butter is widely used worldwide in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food products because of its natural properties.
However, he expressed concern that while shea products fetch high prices internationally, local women who collect and sell the nuts earn very little.
“Our women sell shea nuts cheaply, but when the same shea is processed into lotions and ointments abroad, the value increases many times,” the President said. “We must bring that full value home.”
He explained that the SheaPark Resource Hub is designed to ensure shea nuts are picked, processed and packaged in Ghana before being exported as finished products. The project is expected to create jobs, increase incomes and strengthen local industries.
President Mahama said the initiative aligns with his government’s 24-hour economy vision, stressing that development should not be seasonal and opportunities must run day and night. He added that the hub will operate in shifts across processing, packaging, logistics and distribution, creating round-the-clock employment, especially for young people.
He also highlighted that by generating decent jobs in northern Ghana, the project will help address migration and economic hardship in the region.
The President emphasised that SheaPark is built on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land use, renewable energy and recycling systems, while protecting the environment.
He praised the partnership behind the project, which involves government, traditional authorities, private investors, cooperatives, development partners and the diaspora, describing it as a model for sustainable development.
President Mahama urged women and young people in the Upper West Region to take ownership of the facility, build skills, innovate and form competitive enterprises. He assured them that the government will continue to provide infrastructure, stable policies, access to finance and a supportive economic environment to help businesses grow.
