President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the SheaPark Resource Hub at the Wa Naa’s Palace in the Upper West Region.

It is designed to process shea into finished products such as cosmetics, ointments and food items for both domestic use and export.

According to a post shared on the Parliament of Ghana’s Facebook page, the flagship intervention, launched on Saturday, January 31, 2026, will revitalize the Upper West Region’s economy through industrialisation and value addition in the shea sector, positioning the area as a key player in Ghana’s agro-industrial transformation agenda.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, thePresident urged Ghanaians to add value to shea locally rather than exporting raw nuts, warning that the country is losing significant economic benefits by selling the product in its unprocessed form.

“Our women sell shea nuts cheaply, but when the same shea is processed into lotions and ointments abroad, the value increases many times,” the President said. “We must bring that full value home,” President Mahama urged.

He said the SheaPark Resource Hub has been set up to keep the harvesting, processing and packaging of shea nuts within Ghana, allowing the country to export finished products rather than raw materials. The initiative is projected to generate employment, raise household incomes and boost domestic industrial capacity.

President Mahama noted that the project fits squarely into his administration’s 24-hour economy agenda, explaining that economic activity should not be limited to certain periods of the year. He indicated that the facility will run in shifts covering processing, packaging, logistics and distribution, offering continuous job opportunities, particularly for the youth.

He further pointed out that the creation of sustainable jobs in northern Ghana would help reduce migration pressures and ease economic challenges in the region.

The President stressed that the SheaPark model prioritises environmentally responsible practices, including climate-resilient farming, efficient land management, the use of clean energy and recycling, while safeguarding natural resources.

He commended the collaborative effort driving the project, which brings together the state, traditional leaders, private sector players, cooperatives, development partners and members of the diaspora, describing it as a practical example of long-term, inclusive development.

President Mahama encouraged women and young people in the Upper West Region to fully embrace the opportunity by acquiring skills, pursuing innovation and building competitive businesses. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing infrastructure, policy stability, financing options and a business-friendly environment to support enterprise growth.

Adding his quota, Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and the proponent of the initiative described the occasion as a “royal honour and blessing.”

He noted that the launch marked a significant milestone in efforts to resuscitate the regional economy through sustainable, inclusive and community-driven development.

The Speaker reiterated that the SheaPark Resource Hub aligns seamlessly with the government’s flagship programmes, particularly the Big Push, the 24-Hour Economy and the Accelerated Export Development agenda.

He said the initiative draws inspiration from the President’s vision of building a self-reliant, industrially competitive and export-driven Ghanaian economy with integrated value chains and a globally competitive workforce.

Honourable Aban Bagbin also expressed profound gratitude to the organisers for the invitation to be part of what he termed a historic and potentially impactful intervention.

SheaPark Resource Hub launch was graced by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana; His Royal Highness Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, Paramount Chief of Wa; the Member of Parliament for Wa Central; Parliamentary and Presidential staffers; regional ministers; Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs); and several other distinguished guests.

PBC Shea Limited, a state-owned shea processing factory in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region, was revamped by President John Dramani Mahama in 2025.

The facility, which was commissioned in 2012 to process shea nuts into shea butter and oil, had remained inactive since 2019 due to funding challenges.

With an estimated annual processing capacity of between 130,000 and 150,000 metric tons of shea nuts, valued at about $118 million, the factory resumed operations under the 24-hour economy policy to strengthen the shea industry and generate employment for young people across the five northern regions.

PBC Shea Limited produced and distributed 100 per cent natural, refined and unrefined shea butter for both domestic and international markets.

Rev. Aaron Fant, Board Chairman of PBC Shea Limited, led board members to inspect the reopened facility and commended management and staff for their commitment.

“I am thrilled to see PBC Shea Limited come back to life after being shut down for several years. Today we can witness the commencement of production, and I am sure the President will be excited, as he entrusted us with this mandate,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the factory, operating under the 24-hour economy, would generate jobs for young people and women. However, he called on the government to prohibit the export of raw shea nuts, stressing the importance of local value addition.

“We need adequate raw materials to sustain the factory's operations. A ban is crucial for the sustainability of both the factory and the shea industry,” he explained.

Rev. Fant also urged staff to give off their best, reminding them that the factory belonged to all Ghanaians.

Managing Director Alhaji Abubakari Abdul-Mumin thanked President Mahama for restoring the factory to operation and supported calls for a ban on raw shea nut exports, noting that countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Togo had already adopted similar measures.

He expressed optimism that the operations of PBC Shea Limited would expand, create more jobs and help reduce unemployment in Ghana.