Gov’t, AAK Ink $90M Shea Deal (MoU Boosts Processing, Women’s Jobs, Sustainability)
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and AAK Ghana Limited have signed a strategic MoU to help Ghana’s shea industry add value, become more competitive, and grow in a way that is good for the environment. Minister Eric Opoku and AAK West Africa VP Lasse Skaksen signed the agreement, which was witnessed by Danish Ambassador Jakob Linulf. The agreement sets aside $90 million to turn the sector from producing raw goods into a high-value industrial pillar. This includes a world-class shea processing factory that will create over 100 direct jobs. The MoU puts the Kolo Nafaso program, which helps 300,000 women collectors, first. It also puts the AAK Ghana Innovation Academy, which helps women develop their skills, first. It also puts industrial infrastructure upgrades for export competitiveness first. Finally, it puts shea reforestation with the Tree Crops Development Authority first for environmental sustainability. The deal fits with Ghana’s Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, the Feed Ghana Program, and efforts to boost agro-processing, tree crop development, and growth through exports.
