Ghana Shea Employers Association calls for urgent gov't intervention to save industry

The Ghana Shea Employers Association (GSEA) is urging the government to act quickly. They want to prevent the collapse of Ghana's shea industry.

At a press conference in Tamale, GSEA members expressed their concerns. The shea sector employs thousands of women and supports rural economies.

Faizatu Abdul Majeed, a member of the Association, spoke about women's roles. She noted that women make up about 90% of the workforce in this industry.

“Shea trees have supported families for generations,” she said. “We must protect them as they are a national treasure.”

Ms. Abdul Majeed warned about exporting raw shea nuts without regulation. This practice leads to economic loss and environmental damage.

Ghana could lose up to 300% of its potential value by not processing locally. Instead of exporting raw nuts, they should be turned into shea butter and other products.

She highlighted issues caused by improper harvesting methods. These practices lead to deforestation, poor soil health, and loss of biodiversity.

“If we don't act now, our ecosystem could suffer irreversible damage,” she cautioned.

She called on the government to ban raw shea nut exports. Other countries like Burkina Faso and Nigeria have already imposed such restrictions.

“We need stronger rules against illegal harvesting,” she added. “Encouraging reforestation is essential for protecting our shea trees.”

Hajia Rabiatu Abukari, president of GSEA, shared her worries too. She noted a growing scarcity of shea nuts in the local market.

High prices in 2024 made it hard for many women processors to afford nuts.

“In 2024, there were almost no affordable shea nuts available,” she said. “We want aggregators to sell us nuts for processing into butter.”