By: Hamza Lansah Lolly
The West Africa Center for Shea Innovation and Research (WACSIR) UDS on Thursday 7th August 2025 organized a capacity building workshop for women Shea nut pickers and processors in the Tolon District of the Northern Region.
The women numbering 25 drawn from various cooperatives across the district were taken through recommended methods of shea nut processing including par-boiling the nut, de-husking, sorting and drying. Again, the women were taken through marketing strategies, export and how to get certification from the Ghana Standard Board.
WACSIR-UDS introduced participants to the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, a globally respected approaches to food safety.
Speaking at the training workshop, the Director of WACSIR-UDS, Professor Abukari Alhassan urged participants to abandon the outdated methods of shea nut picking and processing but adopt the globally accepted methods for quality shea butter production and good market price, adding that, the quality of shea determines its price at the market.
“This isn’t just a training. It’s an opportunity to take our Shea industry to the next level. By learning how to meet international food safety standards, we’re giving our local producers the tools to reach bigger markets and earn better incomes.” He stated
The Director of WACSIR-UDS reiterated that, the capacity building workshop forms part of WACSIR-UDS bigger mission to bridge the gap between research and real-life challenges, promote sustainable Shea farming, and support national development through knowledge sharing and hands-on training.
He noted that, the training workshop is a crucial step towards enhancing the safety, quality, and sustainability of the Shea industry in Ghana.
“The Shea industry plays a vital role in Ghana’s economy, providing livelihoods for millions of women and men, especially in rural districts like Tolon. It is not only a source of income but also a cultural heritage”. He added
Professor Alhassan said, the capacity building workshop for the Women Shea nut pickers and processors is intended to equip participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to produce Shea products that will meet international food safety standards, thereby opening more markets and ensuring consumer confidence worldwide.
“In recent years, the Ghana Shea industry has gained international recognition for its quality and uniqueness. Our producers, processors, and exporters are increasingly part of a global value chain, demanding higher standards of safety and quality control. This is why WACSIR UDS is organising this work focusing on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point”. He stated
The Director of WACSIR-UDS emphasised that the implementation of the HACCP principles will help reduce risks associated with spoilage, contamination, and safety hazards, making our Shea products safer and more appealing to consumers globally.
Prof Alhassan thanked the Executive Director of Regional Advisory Information Network Systems (RAINS) Ghana, Mr. Hardi Tijani and the Board Chair Prof Alhassan Musah for taking the initiative to sponsor the capacity building workshop.
“Their action is a testament to RAINS Ghana’s committment to improving the lives of women, girls, youth, and other vulnerable groups in Northern Ghana. RAINS has built a strong legacy of working collaboratively with communities, governments, and civil society to address evolving challenges such as advancing girls’ education, combating child exploitation, and providing skills training & employment opportunities.”. He stated
A representative of RAINS, Madam Theodora Quaye on hefalf of the Executive Director, Mr. Hardi Tijani said, RAINS as part of its core objectives is to empower women in various stages of their ivelihoods, adding that RAINS supports decent livelihoods activities for women to become financial and economic independent to take care of themselves and their families.
She notes that, RAINS is dedicated in promoting the rights of marginalized groups, particularly women, children, and people with disabilities in Ghana. Again, RAINS works to strengthen local structures and promote fairness and inclusion, with a focus on areas like education, child labor, and community development.
The District Chief Executive for Tolon, Hon Seidu Braimah in a speech read on his behalf by the Tolon Assembly Priding Member, expressed his profound gratitude to WACSIR-UDS for the initiative, saying that the Shea industry is a component of Ghana’s agriculture sector providing livelihoods to thousands of women and men in rural communities.
He said, the government recognizes the potential of the Shea industry to contribute to economic growth, food security and poverty reduction.
Hon Braimah said, the Assembly is committed to support the development of the Shea industry in the district. ” We will continue to work with stakeholders to provide a enabling environment for Shea value chin actors to thrive’. He added
Participants of the workshop expressed their appreciation to WACSIR-UDS for the opportunity to improve the livelihoods.
Speaking to Tolon Radio, a beneficiary of the workshop Alhassan Rahama, said, the training will go a long way to help her produce quality shea butter for a good price at the market.
“I have learn a lot from the training and I am grateful to WACSIR-UDS and RAINS for this livelihood opportunity”. She said
“With the knowledge impact to me today through this WACSIR-UDS workshop, I will show my fellow Shea producers in my community how to adopt the recommended method of Shea production”. She added
