2 weeks Ago By News Ghana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.com.gh/ghana-shea-processors-demand-ban-on-raw-nut-exports/Local shea processors are urging the government to immediately halt raw shea nut exports, warning that the current practice threatens Ghana’s domestic industry and economic development in northern regions.
The Ghana Shea Employers Association made the appeal during a press conference in Tamale, highlighting how foreign buyers are disrupting local markets.Association representatives explained that bulk purchases by international traders have created severe shortages for Ghanaian processors. “We’re pleading with government to stop exportation of raw nuts meant for our local industries,” said Faiza Duut Majeed, the group’s communications officer.
“Foreign investors should establish processing plants here to create jobs rather than taking our raw materials.”The situation has caused dramatic price fluctuations, with a 2kg bowl of shea nuts jumping from GH¢14 early this year to GH¢60 currently. This volatility particularly affects women, who comprise over 90% of shea nut collectors and small-scale processors.
The association noted neighboring countries like Togo and Nigeria already prohibit raw exports to protect domestic industries.Beyond economic concerns, environmental degradation poses another challenge. Unregulated harvesting contributes to deforestation and biodiversity loss while undermining climate resilience in northern Ghana’s shea parklands.
The group estimates Ghana forfeits 300% potential value by exporting unprocessed nuts instead of manufacturing finished products locally.The association proposed concrete solutions including investment in processing infrastructure, women’s empowerment programs, and sustainable harvesting regulations. They emphasized that protecting the shea industry aligns with broader national development goals, from job creation to environmental conservation.
As global demand for shea products grows in cosmetics and food industries, Ghana faces a critical decision about whether to remain a raw material supplier or develop its value-added processing capacity. The association’s call reflects mounting pressure on African governments to retain more natural resource benefits within their borders. News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, News Ghana, https://newsghana.
com.gh/ghana-shea-processors-demand-ban-on-raw-nut-exports/.
