By Maltiti Sayida Sadick
The second edition of the World Shea Expo has opened in Tamale, a three-day conference bringing together stakeholders in the shea industry to explore opportunities for empowerment and economic growth.
In a solidarity message, Hajia Jamilatu Ibrahim, Deputy CEO of the Northern Development Authority (NDA), welcomed participants to the expo and emphasized the significance of the shea industry to Northern Ghana.
“The shea tree is our green gold from the savannah,” she said. “For generations, it has sustained families, provided dignity of work, and connected our local communities to global industries in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.”
Hajia Ibrahim noted that while the potential of the shea industry is vast, it remains largely untapped. She underscored the NDA’s commitment to positioning shea as a driver of transformation in Northern Ghana but stressed that this cannot be achieved alone.
“Research institutions must continue to innovate, helping us improve yields, quality, and sustainability,” she said. “The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre plays a crucial role in attracting capital and partnerships that can scale up local processing and value addition.”
After a field trip to Buipe with Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo and the Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Hajia Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of the private sector, processors, exporters, financiers, and entrepreneurs, in turning opportunities into jobs and prosperity.
The World Shea Expo 2025 is themed “Empowering women and youth-led SMEs in the shea value chain: The role of government and financial institutions.” The event aims to promote collaboration, innovation, and investment in the shea industry, with a focus on empowering women and youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The expo is expected to attract stakeholders from across the shea value chain, including farmers, processors, exporters, and policymakers. It will feature exhibitions, panel discussions, and networking sessions, providing a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, showcase products, and forge partnerships.
