Accra: The Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project (GSLERP) is making significant strides in transforming the shea value chain and enhancing sustainable land management and climate resilience in Northern Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, this initiative, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), aims to restore degraded lands, empower local communities, and strengthen the shea value chain, which is crucial for both economic and ecological stability in the Northern Savannah Zones.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ghana, alongside the Forestry Commission, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), and the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), is positioning shea as a key component of green commodity development. A notable milestone in this effort was the Validation Workshop of the National Shea Commodity Platform (NSCP), which focused on endorsing the NSCP framework, forming its technical working groups, and planning the launch of the Shea Hub and platform.
The NSCP is designed to serve as a regulatory and coordination body, unifying stakeholders across the shea value chain, from producers and processors to policymakers and financial institutions. The platform aims to improve governance, sustainability, and inclusivity in the shea sector, ensuring equitable benefits for all participants. This initiative aligns with UNDP's broader goal of fostering multistakeholder collaboration through inclusive platforms to promote shared ownership and collective action.
At the workshop, Mr. Ayirebi Frimpong, Forest Specialist at UNDP Ghana, highlighted the critical role of partnerships in driving progress and noted the GSLERP's contribution to transforming rural lives. He remarked, "This activity reflects a key objective of the GSLERP project, leveraging a multistakeholder approach to strengthen the enabling environment for the shea sector. Such platforms are vital for managing green commodities and implementing landscape approaches that promote sustainable resource use."
Mr. Rich Kofi Kofituo, Deputy CEO of The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), emphasized the need for collaboration in realizing the potential of strategic crops like shea, coconut, cashew, oil palm, rubber, and mango. He stated, "Realising the potential of these crops requires more than regulation; it demands collaboration. We are committed to working with government agencies, NGOs, and financial institutions to actively develop the shea sector, ensuring that all stakeholders benefit fully."
During breakout sessions, stakeholders reviewed the proposed NSCP, examined its structure, raised concerns, and suggested improvements, thereby contributing to a more effective platform to guide the future of the shea industry. A recurring theme was the need to integrate young people into the shea industry. Mr. Adam Tampuri, a participant, noted, "We need to ensure that young people are properly integrated into the shea industry. This will help them develop interest and commitment, so that when the older generation retires, the youth will be ready and equipped to take over and sustain the industry."
The validation of the NSCP marks a significant step toward building a stronger and more inclusive shea industry in Ghana. With ongoing support from GSLERP and its partners, the sector is poised to grow in ways that protect the environment, support the economy, and uplift communities.
