The Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Andy Osei Okrah, has handed over essential farm inputs and operational equipment to women’s shea associations, shea collectors and other stakeholders in Ghana’s shea value chain.
The intervention, undertaken by the Tree Crops Development Authority on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, is aimed at strengthening the shea industry and improving the livelihoods of women and other actors in the sector.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Andy Osei Okrah said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s tree-crop sector.
He explained that since the new administration assumed office in January 2025, efforts have been made to support several tree-crop sectors, including rubber, cashew, coconut, oil palm and shea.
According to him, the shea sector is the tenth to benefit from the government’s intervention.
The items presented included 10 tricycles to support the transportation and aggregation of shea nuts and related activities, as well as 528 field tools to support farm and field operations.
Other items included 500 pairs of Wellington boots, 500 pairs of hand gloves, 500 headlamps, 500 raincoats and 500 reflective jackets to improve the safety, protection and working conditions of shea collectors.
Mr. Andy Osei Okrah emphasized that the intervention was not merely a distribution exercise but an investment in productivity, safety, mobility, quality and service delivery within Ghana’s shea value chain.
He assured stakeholders that the TCDA intends to provide additional support before the end of the year as part of efforts to promote the growth and development of the shea industry.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Ghana Shea Workers Union, Joanna Naab expressed gratitude to the Tree Crops Development Authority for the support.
She described shea as “green gold” because of its significant contribution to rural livelihoods, employment creation and the economic empowerment of women.
She noted, however, that shea workers, particularly women, face major challenges transporting heavy loads of shea nuts over long distances from remote harvesting areas to processing centres and markets.
According to her, the provision of the tricycles will significantly reduce the physical burden on shea collectors and improve the transportation of shea nuts.
She said the intervention would also help reduce post-harvest losses, move shea nuts more quickly to processing and storage centres, save time and energy and improve the efficiency and productivity of cooperatives.
The union also commended the TCDA for its continued support through capacity building, regulatory guidance, advocacy and institutional assistance.
Joanna Naab assured the Authority that the tricycles and other equipment would be used efficiently, equitably and responsibly, with proper maintenance systems put in place.
Another shea stakeholder, Esther Naanbir, said the intervention would contribute significantly to improving sustainability, increasing yields and enhancing the quality of shea nuts.
She explained that poor transportation and delays in moving harvested shea nuts can lead to germination and deterioration of the nuts, affecting their quality.
According to her, poor handling can also increase the level of Free Fatty Acids, making the shea products less attractive to buyers on the market.
She therefore expressed optimism that the tricycles and other equipment would help improve transportation, reduce losses and ensure that shea nuts reach processing and storage centres in good condition.
The intervention is expected to boost productivity, improve working conditions and strengthen the role of women in Ghana’s shea value chain.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu Issahaku
