The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Global Shea Alliance has launched the “Action for Shea Parklands Initiative”.
The project is aimed at protecting the shea parklands and to develop the shea industry. This would be achieved by planting ten million trees across West Africa for the next ten years.
Speaking at the launch, U.S Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan planted 50 shea seedlings in seedling bags. The seedlings would be planted during the 2021 shea season in the Northern regions across the country. It is estimated that 20,000 trees will be planted this year.
She stated that the shea industry is projected to contribute to Ghana’s economic development.
“U.S. companies and consumers continue to play a key role in this growth, ensuring that the industry contributes to Ghana’s economic development while meeting the highest social and environmental standards,” she said.
The initiative will also impact “women’s economic development activities in Ghana”.
The Global Shea Alliance in collaboration with the USAID has raised 100,000 seedlings and has planted 8,000 shea trees. This in accordance with a partnership under the “Sustainable Shea Initiative”.
According to the US Embassy, “the SSI $18 million, five-year program that promotes the sustainable expansion of the shea industry in Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Mali, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso as well as increases the incomes of rural women, who form the backbone of the industry”.
The Action for Shea Parklands initiative will be extended to Togo and Benin. It is expected that by the end of August 2020, 6,000 trees will have been planted in Togo by 300 women.
2,400 trees were planted in Benin in July this year.
Shea is one of the most important products grown in the Northern parts of Ghana. It is usually transformed into butter for skincare and/or oil by the women who make them.
It is popular for its ability to cure dry skin and keep the hair moisturized. It contains Vitamins A, D, E and F.
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