New Platform launched to unlock opportunities for more women in Ghana’s Shea Sector

June 15, 2026

UNDP Ghana_GSLERP — Group photo of participants

Phtotos: @Ernestina Ocansey / UNDP Ghana

For most women across Ghana’s Northern Savannah Zone, the shea crop is a source of income, a safety net for households, and a critical economic lifeline that sustains entire communities.

Yet despite producing between 130,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts annually, valued at about US$118 million, the sector continues to face longstanding challenges, including fragmented coordination, limited market access, and weak information sharing across actors in the value chain.

To address these challenges, the United Nations Development (UNDP) in Ghana, in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), launched the National Shea Commodity Platform (NSCP) as a shared multi-stakeholder mechanism for coordination and action across the sector. The platform will be situated at the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA).

The platform, launched under the Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reductions Project (GSLERP), and supported by notable organizations including the International Labour Organization (ILO), development partners, private sector actors, research institutions, and shea-producing communities, is designed as a central hub for the shea industry. It will strengthen stakeholder coordination, support policy dialogue and advocacy, promote knowledge sharing and innovation, and improve access to market opportunities across the value chain.

Beyond coordination, the platform is expected to reduce fragmentation across the sector, improve alignment of investments, and create a more structured and efficient system that benefits producers, processors, exporters, and institutions working in the shea space.

The launch comes at a time when global demand for shea products continues to rise across cosmetics, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and wellness industries, positioning Ghana to expand its role in international markets.

“As we launch the National Shea Commodity Platform, I urge all stakeholders, especially value chain actors, to embrace a spirit of collaboration and transparency. A stronger, more competitive shea sector depends on it,” said Mr. Joseph Gyapong, Director, Climate Change Unit, Forestry Commission.

The importance of the platform extends beyond economics. Shea trees remain a vital environmental asset across northern Ghana, supporting biodiversity, restoring degraded landscapes, preventing soil erosion, and strengthening climate resilience. This places the sector at the intersection of economic growth, women’s empowerment, climate action, and rural development.

Hon. Alhassan Fuseini, speaking at the launch on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, described the platform as a key mechanism for advancing the sector.

“The National Shea Commodity Platform will improve stakeholder coordination, support policy dialogue and advocacy, promote knowledge sharing, and advance women’s economic empowerment in the sector,” he said.

Speaker at podium with microphones during conference; green banner backdrop and panelists behind.

For women working within the shea value chain, the platform represents a significant opportunity to strengthen livelihoods and amplify their voices.

Joana Naab, a shea picker from northern Ghana, expressed optimism about what the platform could mean for women producers.

“For many women, shea is how we support our families and meet basic needs. We are excited about this platform because it brings actors together, creates more opportunities for women, and helps improve the sector. We believe it will give women a stronger voice and improve market opportunities for communities like ours,” she expressed.

The Tree Crops Development Authority, which is expected to host the platform, also expressed confidence in its long-term impact.

“The Tree Crops Development Authority is proud to host the National Shea Commodity Platform. We are confident that the platform will strengthen coordination across the sector, promote fair pricing systems, and enhance market access and export opportunities,” added, Hon. Dr. Andrew Osei Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA.

UNDP Ghana_GSLERP.jpeg — Hon. Dr. Andrew Osei Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA

For UNDP Ghana, the platform represents an opportunity to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.

“At UNDP, we see shea as a pathway to women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development. Through the National Shea Commodity Platform, we have an opportunity to unlock the sector’s full potential while strengthening livelihoods, protecting ecosystems, and positioning Ghana as a global leader in sustainable shea production,” said Ayirebi Frimpong, Forest Specialist at UNDP Ghana.

For decades, shea has supported households, sustained communities, and contributed to local economies across northern Ghana. The challenge has never been the value of shea, but how to fully harness its potential.

Highlighting the importance of seizing this opportunity, Mr. Aaron Adu, Managing Director of the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), underscored the role of the platform in addressing longstanding constraints within the sector.

“Global demand for shea products continues to grow, yet many women and young people in the sector still face significant challenges. The National Shea Commodity Platform will help address these challenges, strengthen coordination across the value chain, and unlock opportunities for women, youth, and the broader Ghanaian economy,” he said.

The National Shea Commodity Platform seeks to change that. By creating a common space for coordination, learning, advocacy, and investment, the platform lays the foundation for a stronger shea sector, that works better for women, communities, businesses, and the landscapes on which it depends.