A new era of collaboration has dawned for Ghana’s shea sector as AAK Ghana Limited (AAK) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance value addition, competitiveness, and sustainable growth across the industry.
The agreement, signed at the Ministry’s headquarters in Accra by Minister Eric Opoku and AAK West Africa’s Vice President, Lasse Skaksen, was witnessed by Denmark’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Jakob Linulf. The presence of diplomatic and sector leaders underscored the strategic significance of the partnership for Ghana’s agribusiness ambitions.
Under the MoU, AAK and the Government of Ghana have formalised their collaboration to boost local processing capacity, empower small and medium-sized enterprises, and position Ghana as a major player in the global shea market. The partnership places special emphasis on inclusive growth, targeting women collectors, youth employment, and sustainable sourcing throughout the shea value chain.
AAK, a global leader in shea production and procurement since 1958, reaffirmed its commitment to Ghana’s development, spotlighting the recent FairWild certification of its Kolo Nafaso programme—the first ever for shea. This milestone not only sets a new ethical sourcing standard but also supports more than 230,000 women collectors, with plans to expand that number by 70,000 in northern Ghana over the coming years.
Speaking during the ceremony, Lasse Skaksen articulated a bold vision: “Ghana has the potential to become a global reference point for value-added shea processing, and AAK intends to be a long-term partner in making that happen.” Skaksen outlined four key priorities under the MoU: expanding Kolo Nafaso’s reach and impact; launching the AAK Ghana Innovation Academy to drive skills development and SME growth; investing in advanced local processing facilities to create jobs and boost exports; and supporting reforestation and parkland preservation in partnership with the Tree Crops Development Authority.
MoFA welcomed the partnership, noting its alignment with the government’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda and the Feed Ghana Programme. Minister Opoku and his team pledged to provide an enabling environment to ensure the success of these investments, recognizing the shea sector’s role in agro-processing, tree crop development, and export-led growth.
The event drew senior government officials, sector stakeholders, and representatives of the Danish Embassy, all echoing a shared commitment to transform Ghana’s shea industry from a raw commodity market into a value-driven pillar of the nation’s economy. With this agreement, AAK and Ghana’s government have set the stage for an inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive shea industry.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
