VP Opoku-Agyemang Champions Value Addition at SHEA 2026 Conference
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Edited by: Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah – Paaps –
Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has officially opened the SHEA 2026 Conference in Accra, calling for a decisive shift from raw commodity exports to value-added production within Africa’s shea industry.
The conference, hosted by the Global Shea Alliance with support from the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, has brought together stakeholders from 21 African countries alongside international partners. The gathering marks over 15 years of collaboration aimed at strengthening the continent’s shea value chain.
The Vice President emphasized the need for African countries, particularly Ghana, to move beyond exporting unprocessed shea nuts and instead invest in processing, branding, and innovation to capture greater economic value.
“As global demand for shea continues to rise, Ghana must strategically position itself to benefit more from value addition through industrialization and expanded market access,” she stated.
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She noted that the shea industry remains a critical source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of women across Ghana, stressing the importance of equitable benefit-sharing.
“The growth of the sector must translate into improved livelihoods, especially for the women who form the backbone of the industry,” she added.
The Vice President also highlighted the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy as a key driver for boosting productivity, creating jobs, and strengthening value chains within the shea sector.
She further underscored the importance of sustainability, pointing to the need for protecting shea parklands, improving soil fertility, and supporting farmers within the savannah ecological zones to ensure long-term viability.
Established in 2011 under the leadership of then Vice President John Dramani Mahama, the Global Shea Alliance has grown into a major platform promoting innovation, sustainability, and market expansion across the shea industry.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang expressed confidence that the conference would produce practical solutions and strengthen partnerships to drive the next phase of growth for the sector.
SHEA 2026 continues throughout the week with technical sessions focused on processing technologies, climate-smart agroforestry, and financing strategies for women-led cooperatives.
Filed by: Phalonzy