President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to add value to shea locally rather than exporting raw nuts, warning that the country is losing substantial economic benefits by selling the product in its unprocessed form.
He made the appeal on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the launch of the SheaPark Resource Hub in Wa, Upper West Region. The facility is designed to process shea into finished products such as cosmetics, ointments and food items for both local consumption and export.
President Mahama noted that shea has been used by Ghanaians for generations as food and natural cosmetics, and is now in high demand globally across the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries because of its natural properties.
However, he expressed concern that while processed shea products command premium prices on the international market, local women who collect and sell the raw nuts earn very little.
“Our women sell shea nuts cheaply, but when the same shea is processed into lotions and ointments abroad, the value multiplies many times,” he said. “We must bring that full value home.”
He explained that the SheaPark Resource Hub will ensure shea nuts are harvested, processed and packaged in Ghana before export, a move expected to create jobs, boost incomes and strengthen local industries.
The President said the project fits into his government’s 24-hour economy vision, stressing that development should not be seasonal and economic activity must run day and night. He noted that the hub will operate in shifts across processing, packaging, logistics and distribution, creating round-the-clock employment, particularly for young people.
President Mahama added that by providing decent jobs in northern Ghana, the initiative would help reduce migration and economic hardship in the region.
He further highlighted that SheaPark is grounded in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land use, renewable energy and recycling systems, while ensuring environmental protection.
Commending the partnerships behind the project—spanning government, traditional authorities, private investors, cooperatives, development partners and the diaspora—he described the initiative as a model for sustainable development.
President Mahama urged women and youth in the Upper West Region to take ownership of the facility, build skills, innovate and create competitive enterprises, assuring them of continued government support through infrastructure development, stable policies, access to finance and a business-friendly environment.
