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<\/p>\nPro vice chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Seidu Al-hassan has written a comprehensive book on Ghana’s Shea industry.<\/p>\n
With the title “Ghana’s Shea Industry: knowing the fundamentals,” the book highlighted the processing, prospects and constraints of the Shea industry.<\/p>\n
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Professor Seidu Al-hassan at the official launch in Tamale said the constraints rural shea processors encountered the
\nIn the Ghana shea Value Chain system informed his decision to write the book.<\/p>\n
“Despite its important socio-cultural and economic relevance, the Shea sub- sector has not received the desired policy and programme support in order to achieve its full potential,” he lamented in the book.<\/p>\n
![\"c39ce211-ec2b-4dd4-8ebc-804137884ef8\"](\"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/c39ce211-ec2b-4dd4-8ebc-804137884ef8.jpg\")
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The author called for multifaceted approach to overturn factors stagnating the growth of Ghana’s Shea Industry.<\/p>\n
He described the book as the first initiative and explained that it sought to add knowledge on women Shea processors in Ghana which he posited will benefit the academia and policy makers.<\/p>\n
Professor Seidu Al-hassan acknowledged the contributions of scholars, corporate bodies and individuals whose support improved the book’s quality.<\/p>\n
Northern Regional Minister, Abubakari Abdullah praised Professor Seidu Al-hassan for producing the book and called for concerted efforts to preserve the Shea tree.<\/p>\n
He advocated the need for every household within the Savannah Ecological Zone to own a Shea tree as means of preventing its cutting for charcoal burning.<\/p>\n
As a community development expert, Abdullah Abubakari condemned the marginalization and social exclusion of women from the benefits of available natural resources.<\/p>\n
He said government was committed to revamp the Shea industry to improve the livelihood of rural women.<\/p>\n
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna in his keynote address said, “The Shea industry in Ghana occupies an important place in the economic development of the country especially in Northern Ghana. This is because of its role in job creation especially for women, foreign exchange earnings, industrial development and growth of the national economy.”<\/p>\n
“Ghana is amongst the largest producer of Shea in the world with an export averaging 60,000 metric tons per annum. Currently the crop is classified as a non- traditional export commodity and is monitored by the Ghana Export Promotion Council,” he remarked.<\/p>\n
Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna cited financing as one of the major constraints affecting entrepreneurs involved in the processing and marketing of Shea butter.<\/p>\n
“The problem of finance stems from two major dimensions. Inadequate production and marketing capital and deficient financing mechanisms accessed by Shea butter producers.”<\/p>\n
He nonetheless noted that Shea nut is a commodity that has received renewed attention under government’s export diversification scheme.<\/p>\n
![\"5d34e2e5-846e-4ec4-89ee-6c78e9e02283\"](\"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/5d34e2e5-846e-4ec4-89ee-6c78e9e02283.jpg\")
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“Under the Sekaf Shea Butter Processing loan scheme, about 2,000 women received loans skilled training and access to improve Shea butter processing facilities. The Oxfam Shea nut loan scheme also advanced loans to Shea processing women groups.”<\/p>\n
He commended Professor Seidu Al-hassan for writing the book saying, “It is my hope that the information provided in the book will contribute to narrowing the gap in knowledge that exists in the industry. I also believe that the knowledge shared in this book will be useful to policy makers in the formulation of appropriate policies for the Shea industry.”<\/p>\n
Professor Saa Dittoh of the UDS reviewed the book and touted it as a master piece worth reading.<\/p>\n
He urged stakeholders in the Shea industry to treat and use the Shea tree with good wisdom and understanding.<\/p>\n
Professor Saa Dittoh disclosed the natural regeneration of the Shea tree which he said must be protected at all cost.<\/p>\n
![\"8fafe274-2884-4549-8386-170813be2848\"](\"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/8fafe274-2884-4549-8386-170813be2848.jpg\")
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He challenged young Professors to develop the ‘Can do spirit’ by writing books that will help policy makers forecast into the future.<\/p>\n
Sagnar Naa Abdulai Yakubu underscored the need to zealously safeguard the Shea tree which he admitted remained the economic mainstay of most rural women.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pro vice chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Seidu Al-hassan has written a comprehensive book on Ghana’s Shea industry. With the title “Ghana’s Shea Industry: knowing the fundamentals,” the book highlighted the processing, prospects and constraints of the Shea industry. Professor Seidu Al-hassan at the official launch in Tamale said the constraints […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":221845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n