The Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, will on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 launch the maiden edition of the World Shea Expo 2024 in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.
The Expo which is expected to bring together all actors in the shea value such as women pickers, farmers, processors, researchers, aggregators, various associations and women groups, financial institutions, is aimed at promoting the product and creating both local and international markets for the commodity.
Jointly organised by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Savannah Golden Tree Limited, the event is on the theme “Shea Sustainability Expo; Nurturing Growth, Empowering Communities”.
The other partners are the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), COCOBOD, EXIMBANK, Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), Intentional Labour Organisation (ILO) and the University for Development Studies (UDS).
Scheduled to take place at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale from July 23 to 25, 2024, the main Expo is expected to be graced by the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Boosting sector
The Executive Director of the World Shea Expo 2024, Chief Adams Tampuri in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale on Thursday, said the event promises to be a groundbreaking and would create a platform to showcase innovation, collaboration and networking among actors of the shea value chain.
He indicated that the Expo would promote and highlight the contributions of shea which was the main source of income to many rural women in the Savannah Ecological Zone, while creating market linkages to boost the production and processing go the commodity.
Beyond that, he said the it would publicly recognise the efforts and contributions of women, youth and the small to medium enterprises who dedicate their time to pick about 40 per cent of nuts in the bush annually and to also showcase extensive research works that institutions such as the Cocoa Research Institute at Bole had undertaken to reduce the gestation period of the shea tree.
“This landmark event, co-organized by Savannah Golden Tree Limited, marks a pivotal moment in the global shea industry, bringing together esteemed partners and stakeholders committed to advancing shea sustainability and empowering communities across Africa and
beyond” Chief Tampuri said.
He indicated that the selected products from the World Shea Expo will be showcased in North America through the Canada Africa Trade and Innovation Expo 2024 in London, Ontario, Canada, on September 6 to 7, this year, bolstered by the esteemed support of the World Superfoods Expo.
He thanked all NRCC and all the partners for supporting the initiative and called on all stakeholders to support the programme.
Novel initiative
For his part, the Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu, described the Expo as a novelty as it would bring various key stakeholders and international business entities in Tamale.
He said the initiative would help to boost the potential of the shea industry in creating sustainable livelihoods, particularly for women in the region and beyond, adding that it will recognise shea farmers and their invaluable contributions to the global market.
While appealing to various corporate institutions and development partners to support the intervention, he reiterated his outfit’s commitment to ensure the success of the event.
Background
Spearheaded by Savannah Golden Tree Ltd, the World Shea Expo which is scheduled to take place in Tamale represents a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, ministries, financial institutions, export promotion agencies, shea associations, women’s groups in shea production, private enterprises, and international donors.
This annual event aims to consistently illuminate Ghana’s pivotal role in the global shea industry and the significant contributions of over one million stakeholders within the Ghanaian shea value chain.
Established in 2018, the Savannah Golden Tree Ltd seeks to promote the shea product and create both local and international markets for businesses as well as showcase Ghana’s Shea-nut Industry to the World in countries such as USA, China, Japan, UAE among others.
Mohammed Fugu
Writer’s email:mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh
