FORMULATE POLICIES FOR NATIONAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (PAGE 42, NOV 24, 2010)

REPRESENTATIVES of civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders in the shea-nut industry have called on the government to formulate appropriate policies and mechanisms for developing natural resources of the country for national development.
They also urged the government to further enhance the call by including shea-nut in the greater interest and benefit of the people of Ghana, especially those in the shea butter producing communities.
This was contained in a communiqué adopted at the second national multi–stakeholders’ forum on shea-nut industry in Ghana .
The forum was organised by the Interim Shea Network Secretariat in Wa, with sponsorship from SNV–Netherlands and Oxfam Great Britain, all international non-governmental organisations.
According to the communiqué, in the face of challenges facing the shea -nut industry, the government should set up a shea board along the lines of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to spearhead the formulation of policies and laws for consideration by the government for effective and efficient governance and operations in the shea-nut sector.
“For instance, appropriate taxation of shea exports could lead to revenue mobilisation for government interventions in the sub–sector, including adequate funding for shea research and development,” it added.
The communique called for a broader and transparent consultation among the government, traditional authorities and people in the northern part of Ghana regarding the take-over of large tracts of agricultural land by multinational agricultural companies.
It said that situation affected poor people’s access to land and other resources for livelihood development, considering the fact that about 95 per cent of households depended on shea butter for sustenance.
“As part of its policy of promoting local content in industrial activities, the government should encourage the use of shea products in local cosmetic, beverage, confectionery, pharmaceutical and hospital industries,” the communiqué stressed.
The communiqué called for an intensive media involvement to highlight the performance of shea to the economy of northern Ghana through research and investigations on shea sub–sector issues, production of special documentaries to increase awareness.
In addition, it resolved to continue to use the annual platform to co-ordinate its activities and to find common ground for resolving the challenges confronting the sub–sector and thereby fully harness its potential for wealth creation and for growth, especially in northern Ghana.
The communiqué resolved to constructively engage with the government and support its efforts and that of the private sector to develop the shea value chain for the betterment of all Ghanaians, especially the poor women, who are at the heart of the industry.