By Murtala Issah
The University for Development Studies (UDS) has taken a significant step toward strengthening the shea industry in Northern Ghana with the commencement of a two-day workshop on shea value chain dynamics and sustainable shea production.
The workshop, which began on Thursday, March 26, 2026, is being organised by the UDS Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment under the auspices of the Department of Forestry and Forest Resource Management, in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, Canada, and with funding support from the Peter Gilgan Foundation. It has brought together researchers, development practitioners, industry players, and community stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues shaping the shea sector.
In their opening remarks, both the Dean of the Faculty and the Head of the Department of Forestry and Forest Resource Management, Prof. Samuel J. Cobbina and Dr. Hamza Issifu, underscored the importance of the workshop in addressing gaps within the industry. Dr Issifu noted that the initiative seeks “to deepen understanding of the shea value chain, promote sustainable production practices, and enhance the livelihoods of women who are the backbone of the sector.”
Also speaking at the workshop, Prof. Terry Sunderland of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia highlighted the importance of international research partnerships. He emphasised that “collaborative research is essential to unlocking sustainable pathways for shea production while improving women’s livelihoods across Northern Ghana.”
The Director of the West African Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation and Innovation (WACSIR), Prof. Abubakari Alhassan, stressed the need for practical and inclusive approaches. According to him, “sustaining shea production requires integrating scientific knowledge with indigenous practices while ensuring that women remain central to the value chain.”
A representative from A Rocha Ghana’s Northern Sector Office drew attention to the complexity of the shea value chain, noting that “the dynamics of the sector continue to evolve, requiring coordinated efforts among actors to ensure sustainability and equitable benefit sharing.”
Providing further insight, Prof. Rakiatu Hussieni of UDS observed that significant transformations within the shea value chain are reshaping access and opportunities. She explained that “changes in market structures and commercialisation trends are influencing women’s access to shea resources and, ultimately, their livelihoods.”
Dr. Kwabena Asubonteng also examined relationships within the sector, pointing out that “while collaboration among actors can enhance productivity, emerging conflicts, particularly over resource control, pose challenges to sustainable shea production.”
On his part, Prof. Bernard Baatuwie of UDS highlighted the ecological dimension, stressing that “the sustainable management of shea tree parklands is critical to ensuring long-term productivity and environmental resilience in Northern Ghana.”
The workshop featured engaging group discussions, where participants explored a wide range of issues affecting the shea industry, including market access, governance, sustainability practices, and gender dynamics.
As part of the technical sessions, Dr. Francis Chimsa delivered a presentation on shea propagation, focusing on seedling development and nursery management techniques aimed at improving regeneration and yield.
The first day of the workshop was widely regarded as successful, marked by insightful presentations and rich stakeholder engagement. Anticipation is high for the second day, which promises to be even more engaging with a scheduled field trip to examine nursery techniques and effective shea parkland management practices for enhanced regeneration and production.
