The S.D. Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), is currently in the process of launching a Shea Entrepreneurship Resource Centre in Tamale, located in the Northern Region of Ghana.
The primary objective of this facility is to support the ILO’s “Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Project”, which is focused on understanding labour dynamics, improving productivity, and implementing sustainable practices within the shea value chain.
Equipped with state-of-the-art scientific tools, the centre will facilitate primary shea product testing, offer internships for students, disseminate knowledge about shea, and establish a data pool to inform policy and practice related to shea production.
During a recent event to showcase outcomes and certify beneficiary SMEs, Samuel Asiedu Onuma, the National Project Officer in charge of SME, “Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Project”, emphasized the project’s provision of essential equipment and training to the beneficiary SMEs.
Mr Onuma stated, “The ILO developed this programme in partnership with workers’ and employers’ unions to enhance working conditions and productivity in the workplace. Globally, productivity is a critical factor. Our aim is to increase output despite limited resources, and this programme is helping enterprises to explore opportunities.”
Sharing her experience, Esther Nambiri, the founder of the Agape Shea Butter Cooperative, mentioned that the training has led to a decrease in operational costs and improved organization of their processing centres. She added, “When you look at the way we structure our facility, such as the buildings, we were not following the five ‘s’.”
Despite the potential to increase Ghana’s non-traditional export earnings and diversify sources of foreign exchange earnings, the shea industry in Ghana remains underdeveloped. In 2022, shea butter exports were valued at over 92 million US dollars, and the global shea butter market was estimated to be 2.75 billion US dollars in 2023. With the potential to create thousands of jobs, the ILO aims to improve productivity and address the challenges hindering the industry through its productivity ecosystems for decent work projects.
The ILO Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work is a multi-country initiative operating in Ghana, South Africa, and Vietnam, and is funded by the governments of Switzerland and Norway. The programme aims to promote productivity growth for decent work.
The establishment of the Shea Entrepreneurship Resource Centre in Tamale is a significant step towards enhancing productivity and sustainable practices within the shea value chain, and is expected to have a positive impact on the shea industry in Ghana.