Tamale, the capital of Ghana’s Northern Region, is set to host the inaugural World Shea Expo 2024!
This exciting event kicks off on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024, with the official launch by Ghana’s Second Lady, Samira Bawumia.
Empowering Women and The Shea Industry
The World Shea Expo aims to empower women and young people working within the shea sector. It will be a platform for all those involved in the shea value chain to connect, including women pickers, farmers, processors, researchers, and financial institutions.
The event, themed “Shea Sustainability Expo; Nurturing Growth, Empowering Communities,” is a collaborative effort between the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and Savannah Golden Tree Limited. Additional partners include the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), COCOBOD, EXIMBANK, Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the University for Development Studies (UDS).
The main Expo will be held at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale from July 23rd to 25th, 2024, and is expected to be graced by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Boosting the Shea Sector
The World Shea Expo promises to be a landmark event for the global shea industry. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect:
- Showcase Innovation and Collaboration: The Expo will provide a platform for showcasing innovation, collaboration, and networking among stakeholders in the shea value chain.
- Link to International Markets: The event aims to connect participants with international markets and investors, promoting the economic value of shea production in the region.
- Highlighting Shea’s Contribution: The Expo will recognize the vital role shea plays as a source of income for rural women in Ghana’s Savannah Ecological Zone. It will also explore ways to create market linkages to boost production and processing.
- Celebrating Women and Research: The contributions of women, youth, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in shea production will be publicly recognized. The Expo will also showcase research efforts aimed at reducing the shea tree’s gestation period.
Global Recognition for Ghanaian Shea
The World Shea Expo goes beyond Ghana’s borders. Select products showcased at the Expo will travel to North America for further exposure at the Canada Africa Trade and Innovation Expo 2024, held in London, Ontario, Canada, on September 6th and 7th, 2024.
A Novel Initiative with Lasting Impact
The Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu, hails the Expo as a novel initiative that will attract key international business entities to Tamale. He emphasizes the potential of the Expo to boost the shea industry, create sustainable livelihoods for women, and recognize the invaluable contributions of shea farmers to the global market.
The Future of Shea
Spearheaded by Savannah Golden Tree Ltd., the World Shea Expo is poised to become an annual event. It aims to solidify Ghana’s position as a major player in the global shea industry and celebrate the significant contributions of over one million stakeholders within the Ghanaian shea value chain.
