Sankana: The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) has extolled the shea tree as a crucial element supporting rural livelihoods, particularly for women across numerous African countries, due to its economic potential.
According to Ghana News Agency, the GSA emphasized the shea tree as more than just a fruit source; it signifies resilience and life for millions across 21 African nations. Economically, the shea tree offers food, income, education, and opportunities to local communities. Mr. Aaron Adu, Managing Director of the GSA, highlighted the dependence of millions in East and West Africa on the shea value chain for their livelihoods, encompassing harvesting, processing, and marketing. He made these remarks at the 2025 Shea Day Celebration in Sankana, Nadowli/Kaleo District, which also marked the launch of the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project (GSLERP).
The event, organized by the GSA and themed 'Plant a Shea Tree, Restore Livelihoods,' gathered stakeholders such as policymakers and traditional leaders to honor achievements and ongoing efforts in the shea sector. Mr. Adu pointed out that the shea industry significantly contributes to national economies by boosting trade, generating employment, and fostering inclusive growth. Despite its importance, activities like commercial charcoal burning, agriculture, and large-scale mining pose threats to the shea landscape. Mr. Adu estimated an annual loss of about 80 million trees and called for collaborative efforts to tackle this issue.
Mr. Adu also mentioned GSA's ambition to mobilize ten million women across 21 countries to plant and care for shea trees and push for policy adoption in ten countries to support the industry's growth. Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in a speech on his behalf, described the celebration as a call to empower rural communities and build a sustainable shea industry. He expressed gratitude to project funders and implementers, including the GSA, for their dedication to supporting thousands of Ghanaians reliant on the shea landscape.
The Minister highlighted the GSLERP as Ghana's strategic commitment to scaling up nature-based solutions against climate change. The project aims to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded parklands and plant 1.75 million shea trees alongside 400,000 high-value seedlings. He announced a goal to transplant over 800,000 shea seedlings and an additional 100,000 non-shea species across the savannah zone in the 2025 planting season.
Naa Pagraninge Saakoe Mornah III, the Paramount Chief of the Sankana Traditional Area, pledged support for the initiative, recognizing the shea's economic potential. He noted that the nurturing of shea seedlings reflects a collaborative effort between tradition and innovation, driving sustainable livelihoods. The GSLERP is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the GSA and the Forestry Commission. The celebration underscored the shea industry's role in environmental sustainability, women's empowerment, and economic development, promoting the sustainability of shea parklands. It featured a symbolic shea tree planting, reinforcing GSA's commitment to environmental stewardship and the Action for Shea Parklands campaign.
