UDS, UBC commit to promoting gender-inclusive growth

By Samuel SAM

The University for Development Studies (UDS) has partnered with the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, to organise a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on the shea value chain and sustainable production at the Nyankpala Campus, aimed at supporting Northern Ghana’s economy.

The workshop seeks to devise mechanisms to strengthen the value chain and ensure sustainable production, thereby protecting a critical ecological and economic resource, safeguarding livelihoods and promoting gender-inclusive growth.

Stakeholders noted that increased investment in the sector would support the regeneration of ageing shea parklands, improve tree density across landscapes, encourage the adoption of appropriate propagation techniques, reduce post-harvest losses and create reliable, profitable market linkages.

Participants called on policy-makers to adopt innovative approaches to address these challenges and expand market opportunities. They identified key constraints within the shea industry, including limited market access, weak governance structures, sustainability concerns and gender-related barriers, and urged government and stakeholders to prioritise these areas.

The initiative also aims to revitalise the shea sector and secure sustainable livelihoods for the hundreds of thousands of rural women who depend on it as a major source of income.

Organised by the UDS Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Forestry and Forest Resource Management, with funding support from the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the workshop brought together researchers, development practitioners, industry players and community stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues shaping the sector.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Terry Sunderland of the UBC Faculty of Forestry noted that although the shea sector has contributed significantly to national development, women collectors continue to earn relatively low incomes.

“Investment in the sector will enhance the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of rural women who depend on shea for income,” he said, adding that collaborative research is essential to unlocking sustainable production pathways while improving women’s livelihoods across Northern Ghana.

The Director of the West African Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation and Innovation (WACSIR), Prof. Abubakari Alhassan, underscored the need for practical and inclusive approaches.

“Sustaining shea production requires integrating scientific knowledge with indigenous practices while ensuring that women remain central to the value chain,” he said.

Prof. Rakiatu Hussieni of UDS observed that ongoing transformations within the shea value chain are reshaping access and opportunities, particularly for women.

“Changes in market structures and commercialisation trends are influencing women’s access to shea resources and, ultimately, their livelihoods,” she explained.

Prof. Bernard Baatuwie of UDS stressed that sustainable management of shea parklands is critical to ensuring long-term productivity and environmental resilience in Northern Ghana.

The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Samuel J. Cobbina, said the university continues to partner with research institutions to generate knowledge and practical solutions for sustainable natural resource management.

“This partnership with UBC reflects our commitment to impactful international collaboration that directly benefits local communities,” he said, noting that the shea tree remains a vital economic resource for rural women who have sustained the sector for generations.

The Head of the Department of Forestry and Forest Resource Management, Dr. Hamza Issifu, said the workshop was intended to bring experts together to address gaps within the industry and promote actionable solutions.

He called on stakeholders to commit to strengthening the value chain to make it more sustainable and inclusive, noting that evolving sector dynamics require coordinated efforts to ensure sustainability and equitable benefit-sharing.

Dr. Issifu added that the initiative aims to deepen understanding of the shea value chain, promote sustainable production practices and enhance the livelihoods of women, who form the backbone of the sector.

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