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Gizaa-Gunda, (N / A) March 14, GNA – The United States
US Ambbadador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan, unveiled a shea tree Thursday
butter processing facility which would improve economic opportunities for
some 600 women who collect and process shea nuts.
The United States government, through the US government
Agency for International Development (USAID), supported the construction of the
installation and warehouse located in Gizaa-Gunda, Northern Region.
Shea is the main source of income for
women in northern Ghana and is one of the few agricultural crops where women
control the income.
"This event highlights promotional efforts
economic empowerment of women through partnerships that connect Ghanaian women
producers with US buyers, "said the US Embbady in Accra.
"The United States supports key projects such as
this to promote economic growth and job creation in Ghana so that young people
can build a prosperous future here at home for the benefit of all citizens
and their communities, "said Ambbadador Sullivan.
The partnership to develop shea butter
The processing plant and the warehouse were catalyzed by USAID and Global Shea
Alliance (GSA).
The Alliance, which includes an American cosmetics
a local buying company (Savanna Fruits Company) and the Presbyterian society
Agricultural Services (PAS), worked with the local community as part of the
Project for Sustainable Shea Initiative (SSI).
The ISS was launched in 2016 by USAID in
partnership with GSA.
This is a $ 18 million, five-year partnership
promote the sustainable expansion of the shea industry in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire,
Togo and Burkina Faso.
The partnership matches USAID funds with
Private sector and donor funds to provide training and skills training.
infrastructure to support women collecting shea butter.
The Gizaa-Gunda facility is one of the 34
warehouses that USAID and GSA have set up with communities and cooperatives
in Ghana in the last three years; increased opportunities for 30,000
women.
"Overall, SSI is expected to provide 250
warehouses across West Africa, generating more than $ 150 million in shea
exports and benefiting more than 137,000 women.
"The United States is anxious to find
more opportunities in the coming year to build partnerships with businesses, communities,
and non-profit organizations to create new opportunities for Ghanaians and promote a
autonomy and resilience ".
The goal of the USAID / West Africa regional mission
is to promote the social and economic well-being advanced by West Africans.
Covering 21 countries, USAID / West Africa
designs and implements programs with West African partners to strengthen
systems of nonviolent conflict management, support economic growth and develop
quality health services.
GNA
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