GSA plant 1,000 grafted shea seedlings in northern Ghana

The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) has embarked on planting 1,000 shea seedlings across Northern Ghana. 

The project, which is under the Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reduction Project (GSLERP), is the first step of its kind in the history of the Shea industry to plant millions of the first ever grafted shea trees and reduce the gestation period from 15 to 20 years to five to seven years.

During a short ceremony on Wednesday, 13 September 2023, to commence the planting of the 1,000 grafted seedings at the 69 Airborne Military Camp in Tamale, the managing director of Global Shea Alliance, Aaron Adu, noted that the initiative is in response to the biggest threat the Shea industry is facing.

“Our gathering here today is important because it marks the start of undertaking activities that promote, plant, and protect the Shea trees”, Aaron said.

He however stated that in 2024, GSA will graft 1 million seedlings and transplant them accordingly, adding that, “At the end of the project, we expect to have planted 3.5 million shea trees and 500,000 non shea seedlings by 2027.

Dr. Angela Lusigi, the country director for UNDP, said it remains committed to working with all it’s partners to support the Government and people of Ghana through this initiative and others that advance inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development so that Ghana can realise her ambitious development agenda and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, urged all stakeholders to remember that their work does not end after the planting, adding that it rather begins the long journey towards rejuvenating the landscapes, empowering the communities, and safeguarding the beautiful northern savanna ecosystem for now and future generations.

For his part, the Base Commander in Tamale, Air Commodore Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai said the Shea trees will not only conserve the environment, but will also serve as a source of revenue for the barracks community

The project is being supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), USAID, and in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and the Ghana Armed Forces.

Reporting by Tahiru Abdul-Washiru in the Northern Region

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