SheaPark Ambassador rallies support for shea conservation at Buipe

The Ambassador to the SheaPark Resource Hub Project and Paramount Queen Mother of the Sing Traditional Area, Pognaa Salma Chaana Abdul-Razak, joined the Buipewura, Jinapor II, Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area, to celebrate Shea Day in Buipe.

She said the annual observance should serve not only as a celebration of the shea tree but also as a renewed commitment to conserving it for future generations.

She called for urgent action to protect Ghana's shea trees, warning that the future of one of the country's most valuable natural resources depends on the collective efforts of government, traditional authorities, development partners and local communities.

The event, hosted by the Buipewura, brought together chiefs, queenmothers, representatives of the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, officials of the Global Shea Alliance, the Forestry Commission, women shea processors and stakeholders across Ghana's shea value chain.

Addressing participants, Dr Joseph Appiah-Gyapong, Director in charge of Climate Change at the Forestry Commission, highlighted the growing threats facing the shea ecosystem across West Africa.

"Across West Africa, we are losing an estimated eight million shea trees every year. Population growth, agricultural expansion, bushfires, unsustainable tree removal and the impacts of climate change are placing unprecedented pressure on our shared resources," he said.

He noted that if the current trend continues, global demand for shea products could soon outstrip supply, posing significant environmental and economic risks for countries that depend on the industry.

Speaking at the event, Pognaa Salma Chaana Abdul-Razak also called for stronger collaboration among traditional authorities, government institutions, development partners and local communities to safeguard the future of the shea sector.

"No project can succeed without the involvement of traditional leaders. Community engagement begins with our chiefs and queenmothers, and their leadership remains critical to protecting our natural resources," she said.

Representing the Speaker of Parliament, the Founder and Chairperson of the Eco-Groove Development Initiative Foundation congratulated the organisers and reaffirmed the Speaker's commitment to supporting sustainable development in Ghana's shea industry.

He said strengthening partnerships and increasing investment in the sector would create jobs, improve livelihoods and contribute significantly to climate resilience.

"Together, we can create thousands of decent jobs for our youth. Together, we can empower more women to build sustainable livelihoods. Together, we can restore degraded landscapes, strengthen our fight against climate change and position Ghana as the global benchmark for premium, sustainably produced shea products," he said.

The Ambassador also underscored the central role women continue to play in the shea value chain, describing them as the backbone of the industry whose contributions have sustained families and communities for generations.

She encouraged Ghanaians to participate actively in nationwide tree-planting initiatives and announced that, through the SheaPark Resource Hub Project, more than 30,000 shea seedlings have already been planted in the Upper West Region.

"As ambassadors of the SheaPark Resource Hub, we have already planted over 30,000 shea seedlings. Today, I encourage every Ghanaian to plant more trees and help secure a greener future for generations to come," she said.

She also urged communities to work closely with the Global Shea Alliance to access improved shea seedlings and technical support to scale up restoration efforts across northern Ghana.

Speaking on behalf of the Global Shea Alliance, Idi Zakaria described the shea tree as one of the region's most valuable environmental and economic assets, stressing the need for governments, traditional authorities, research institutions, development partners and the private sector to work together to secure its future.

He said the shea tree has long supported livelihoods across Northern Ghana by providing food, income and dignity to thousands of women and families, adding that protecting the species is essential for sustainable community development.

"As we celebrate Shea Day today, let us remember that the future of shea depends on the choices we make now. This is not simply an environmental concern; it is an economic and social imperative," he said.

The celebration also focused on educating young people about the importance of preserving traditional values and conserving the shea tree to ensure future generations inherit a thriving ecosystem.

The event concluded with stakeholders renewing their commitment to strengthen conservation efforts, promote sustainable harvesting practices and expand investment in Ghana's shea sector as part of broader efforts to combat climate change and improve livelihoods across the northern regions.