AAK Ghana Limited (AAK) and Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive value addition, competitiveness, and sustainable growth in the country’s shea industry. The agreement was inked in Accra by Honourable Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, and Mr. Lasse Skaksen, Vice President and Head of AAK West Africa. H.E. Jakob Linulf, Denmark’s Ambassador to Ghana, witnessed the signing, highlighting its role in advancing Ghana’s agribusiness and industrial goals.
The partnership between the Ghanaian government and AAK one of the world’s top shea producers and buyers focuses on boosting local processing, empowering small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and enhancing global market competitiveness. It prioritizes inclusive growth along the shea value chain, especially for women collectors, youth jobs, and sustainable practices.
Operating in Ghana since 1958, AAK reaffirmed its long-term dedication, positioning the country as a regional hub for value-added shea processing. This builds on the recent FairWild certification of AAK’s Kolo Nafaso program the first for shea which sets ethical sourcing standards and supports over 230,000 women collectors’ families.
At the ceremony, Mr. Skaksen stated: “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. This partnership reflects our confidence in Ghana’s shea sector and our commitment to investing in local capacity, sustainable sourcing, and inclusive economic growth.”
Key Priorities Under the MoU
AAK outlined four main focus areas:
Expand Kolo Nafaso: Grow the sustainable sourcing program from 230,000 to over 300,000 women collectors in northern Ghana, with investments in financing, training, markets, logistics, warehousing, and supply chains.
Launch AAK Ghana Innovation Academy: Build skills for SMEs, youth employability, and expertise in shea and plant-based oils/fats.
Invest in Local Processing: Deploy advanced technology to create 100+ jobs, increase value addition, and strengthen exports.
Support Reforestation: Partner with the Tree Crops Development Authority on shea tree planting and parkland preservation for long-term sustainability.
MoFA emphasized the MoU’s alignment with national strategies like the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA), Feed Ghana Programme (via Feed the Industry), agro-processing, tree crops, and export growth. The Ministry pledged an enabling environment for AAK’s initiatives.
Attendees included Hon. John Dumelo, Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture; Mr. Paul Siameh, MoFA Chief Director; Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, Tree Crops Development Authority CEO; and Danish Embassy representatives.
This MoU signals a bold shift for Ghana’s shea sector, evolving it from raw exports to a value-driven economic powerhouse.
Story by : Mercy Addai Turkson # ahotorfmonline.com