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By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Accra, June 10, GNA – The Ghana Exim Bank
committed 10 million GH ¢ to support value chain actors in the framework of
of the first phase of its initiative for the empowerment of shea.
The initiative aims to provide
economic empowerment of women collectors, processors and shea cosmetics
producers engaged in the shea value chain.
Mr. Lawrence Agyinsam, Executive Director
Head of Ghana Exim Bank, speaking at the Shea Stakeholder Meeting
Empowerment Initiative, said the bank would train 400 women in shea processing
in four districts in the north, north-east and north-west regions.
He stated that the Bank in collaboration with the
The humanitarian and empowerment project of Samaria on this initiative would provide
safety tools for 1,200 shea collectors in the northern sector for shea safety
collection and also provide four furnished shea processing centers in the four
Districts.
"We will also provide capacity building and financing
for the final processors (Shea Cosmetic Producers), "he added.
The CEO expressed the belief that the
partnership with Samaria Empowerment and Humanitarian Project would go a long way
means of guaranteeing the proper execution of the initiative.
Mr. Agyinsam said that these women would be among
other objects receive a hunter's lamp, safety boots, gloves, vaccine against the snake; which
were purchased and would be distributed to four district hospitals.
In addition, he said, the Bank would provide
five tricycles and fifteen drying platforms.
He added that 13 capsules made of shea butter
Product manufacturers would be competitively selected to receive
Shea buy capital at one of the four treatment centers thus ensuring
business expansion and financing to participate in international trade.
He said the two partners were looking forward to
ensure that 1,600 women receive training to strengthen their capacities and
skills, which would increase Shea's value added and increase exports of
the commodity as a catalyst for wealth creation.
Mr. Bright Darko, Project Manager and
Business Development on Shea Empowerment Initiative, said that some of
the challenges facing the shea industry include: market access, access to
technology, packaging, quality standards and certification.
He said this initiative was one of the Bank's goals.
The Grid Root Initiative (GRID), which aimed to build capacity
the construction and financing of strategic sectors for the development of
rural economies of the country.
He said under the GRID, rural communities
would receive essential support for their development.
He said that the shea industry provided the
the largest employment of women in the regions, with the potential to transform the
northern economy with appropriate funding.
Mr. Darko said that the key factor in the success of the
initiative included rapid disbursement of funds, market access, strong funds and
continue the link between the chain of three values, development and implementation
strong sustainability plan and the initiative must be led by the private sector.
Mr. Aaron Adu, Managing Director, Global Shea
Alliance, stated on the initiative that the Alliance would play an advisory role
in the areas of setting up treatment centers, capacity building
and market link.
"We will also produce a good practice manual
as part of the initiative, "he added.
He said that 16 million women were involved in
collection and processing of shea, indicating that the country exports
about 70,000 tonnes per year.
He said that in the course of their work they were concentrating
on market expansion, policy awareness and impact on sustainability.
Nana Ama Yankah, CEO of Naya Naturals
Limited, congratulated the management of the parties for launching the project to
support actors in the shea value chain.
GNA
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