By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has described the Sheapark Resource Hub as a clear development pathway that will transform the Upper West Region and contribute significantly to Ghana’s overall economic growth.
Speaking at the official launch of the Sheapark Resource Hub in Wa on Saturday January 31, 2026, Speaker Bagbin said the initiative is designed to resuscitate the economy of the Upper West Region by unlocking its vast natural and human resources and turning them into sustainable economic opportunities.
According to him, the project is guided by a well-thought-out development blueprint titled “Revealing Potential Pathways for Socio-Economic Development, 2025 and Beyond.”
The blueprint, developed through consultations with experts, traditional leaders, government officials and ordinary citizens, identifies shea as a major growth driver, supported by allied products such as dawadawa, neem, baobab, cotton, legumes, cereals and livestock.
Speaker Bagbin explained that the plan details how shea can be used as a nucleus to springboard economic growth in the Upper West Region and Northern Ghana. It also highlights investment opportunities and proposes a new urban setting supported by modern infrastructure to promote commercial and industrial activities.
“We are not here to impress the world with an expensive launch only to abandon the project,” he stressed. “We mean business, and serious business.”
The Speaker noted that the Sheapark Resource Hub is not a solo effort but a collaborative initiative involving government, traditional authorities, the private sector, development partners and the media.
He commended President John Dramani Mahama for his commitment to the project, describing him as one of the key drivers of the vision behind the initiative.
He said the hub aligns with the President’s flagship programmes, particularly the 24-hour economy, the Big Push, and accelerated export development, which aim to build a self-reliant, industrially competitive and export-driven Ghanaian economy.
Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the Sheapark Resource Hub will operate within a 24-hour commercial framework, creating opportunities for women, men and young people to engage in productive activities such as farming, tree planting, harvesting, processing and marketing of shea and other products.
He said this will especially help women in micro, small and medium-scale shea butter processing to overcome challenges related to energy, financing, logistics and access to markets.
However, he cautioned that launching the project alone will not automatically lead to factories and jobs.
“If we cut the sod and go to sleep, nothing will change,” he warned. “There is serious work to be done, and the work starts today.”
