The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has committed four million euros towards strengthening Ghana’s shea industry, aiming to boost production, empower rural women, and increase export earnings.
The announcement was made by Mr. Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, during the inauguration of the newly sworn-in board of PBC Shea Limited in Accra.
He said the ministry is finalizing an agreement with the African Development Bank to unlock the investment for immediate deployment.
“We have committed four million euros to build the capacity of our shea producers and increase nut production this year, we hope to sign the agreement in the coming days and make the funds available for implementation,” Mr. Opoku said.
Highlighting the significance of the shea sector, Mr. Opoku noted that over 600,000 women are directly involved in harvesting, processing, and trading shea nuts and butter across Ghana, making it a critical source of income for many rural households.
He emphasized the need for a solid partnership between PBC Shea Limited and shea farmers to guarantee a ready market, provide financial security, and ensure a consistent supply of raw materials to support industrial growth.
“This agreement must not just be about production; it must guarantee a market for the farmers to build trust and stability in the sector,” he said.
Ghana earned US$92.6 million from shea butter exports in 2022, but Mr. Opoku believes the sector holds the potential to generate over US$500 million annually, given the global demand and Ghana’s reputation for high-quality shea products.
“The international shea market is valued at US$2.75 billion and projected to grow to US$5.58 billion by 2033. Ghana must position itself to benefit from this boom,” he added.
The minister said Ghana remains the world’s leading exporter of shea butter, with its premium quality attracting significant international interest.
However, he lamented the collapse of PBC Shea Company over the past eight years and called on the newly appointed board to restore the factory and fulfill the President’s commitment to reviving agro-processing.
“Your job is to lead the charge. The President has confidence in your ability to transform this factory. But remember, while the board provides strategic direction, it must not interfere with day-to-day management,” Mr. Opoku cautioned.
Reverend Fant Lambon Aaron, newly appointed Board Chairman of PBC Shea Limited, pledged to turn the company around and align with the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
“We are committed to transforming PBC Shea Limited into a beacon of excellence in shea processing. Our vision is to create over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, empowering especially women and youth in rural communities,” Rev. Aaron said.
He stressed that the board’s focus would be on building a resilient shea value chain that supports industrial growth, increases foreign exchange earnings, and contributes meaningfully to Ghana’s agro-processing ambitions.
