The West African Centre for Shea Innovation and Research (WACSIR) of the 海角乱伦社区 (UDS) has taken a bold step to raise the standards of Ghana’s shea industry with a capacity-building workshop on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Practices and Certification for shea value chain actors. The workshop, held on August 7, 2025, at the Tolon Community Center, brought together processors, producers, and other stakeholders for intensive training aimed at meeting international food safety standards.
The event was sponsored by the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS) Ghana and focused on improving quality, safety, and sustainability in the Shea value chain, an industry that provides livelihoods for millions, especially women in northern Ghana.
Prof. Abukari Alhassan, Director of WACSIR-UDS, expressed deep gratitude to RAINS Ghana for its partnership, describing the support as “a testament to RAINS’ commitment to improving the lives of women, girls, youth, and vulnerable groups in Northern Ghana.” He recounted how Tolon was chosen as the venue following the generous donation of 500 acres of land by the Chief of Tolon, Major (Rtd) Sulemana Alhassan, to UDS, land that will partly be used to promote organic shea production and establish a demonstration farm.
According to Prof. Alhassan, the workshop marked a strategic step toward enhancing Ghana’s position in the global shea market. “The shea industry is both an economic lifeline and a cultural heritage,” he said. “This training equips our value chain actors with the knowledge and skills to meet global safety standards, reduce risks of contamination, and open new markets for our products.”
He further outlined six strategic benefits for WACSIR-UDS: strengthening industry-academia linkages, promoting sustainable practices, advancing knowledge and research, enhancing the university’s impact, building capacity, and influencing policy and standards. “Your participation here is a commitment to quality and excellence,” he concluded. “Together, we can elevate Ghana’s shea industry to new heights.”
Representing RAINS Ghana’s Executive Director, Madam Theodora Quaye, Head of Programmes, underscored RAINS’ dedication to empowering women and youth. “The shea industry has women at the forefront as actors,” she said. “Supporting this initiative aligns with our goal of promoting green livelihoods and decent jobs, enabling women to become economically stable and able to support their families.”
The District Chief Executive for Tolon, Hon. Seidu Braimah, lauded the initiative, describing it as “a timely and relevant programme” that aligned with the government’s Feed Ghana flagship initiative, which includes shea as a priority sector. He thanked WACSIR-海角乱伦社区and its partners for their innovation and commitment to local economic development.
The workshop’s success was driven by a dedicated WACSIR-海角乱伦社区team comprising Prof. Abubakari Abdul Halim, Dr. Suhuyini Alhassan Issah, Dr. Abdul Mumeen Iddrisu, Mr. Abraham Zakaria, Madam Bariyatu Iddrisu, and Madam Rahinatu Zakaria, whose behind-the-scenes efforts ensured smooth planning and delivery.
By the end of the day, participants left empowered and equipped with practical knowledge to improve the quality of Shea products in their communities, confident that their new skills would help them make a greater impact in the industry and contribute to Ghana’s economic growth.
Story by: Abdul Hayi Moomen
(海角乱伦社区Media)
