Veep Opens SHEA 2026, Calls for Shift to Value-Added Shea Production
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has officially opened the SHEA 2026 Conference, calling for an urgent transition from the export of raw shea materials to value-added production.
The conference, hosted by the Global Shea Alliance with support from the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, has convened participants from 21 African countries and key development partners.
The Global Shea Alliance was inaugurated in 2011 by President John Dramani Mahama.
Over the past 15 years, it has grown significantly, fostering collaboration to advance the shea industry across Africa.
Addressing delegates, the Vice President said the shift to value addition was in line with Government’s Reset Agenda aimed at accelerating industrial growth.
“Ghana’s shea sector remains a critical source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of women, whose contributions continue to sustain households and support the national economy,” she stated.
With global demand for shea products rising, she emphasised the need to position Ghana to capture greater value through processing, innovation, and expanded market access.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the role of the 24-hour economy policy in boosting productivity, creating jobs, and strengthening value chains within the sector.
She also stressed the importance of environmental sustainability, including the protection of shea parklands, improved soil fertility, and sustained support for farmers across the savannah ecological zones.
While commending the progress made, the Vice President called for a forward-looking approach to ensure that the benefits of the growing shea industry are equitably shared, particularly among the women who form its backbone.
She expressed confidence that deliberations at SHEA 2026 would yield practical solutions and renewed partnerships to drive the next phase of growth, contributing to Ghana’s economic transformation and Africa’s broader development agenda.
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