The Paramount Chief of the Sagnarigu Traditional Area, Ambassador Abdulai Yakubu has cautioned the people of the northern region to stop chopping down Shea trees. According to the Sagnari-naa, the cutting down of the trees deprives the people of their livelihood.
Ambassador Yakubu made the appeal at a book launch ceremony in Tamale. He stated that the influx of foreign cultures has polluted the minds of people which has led to the destruction of the precious Shea tree only to be replaced by foreign trees such as mango and cashew.
The Shea tree, he said, is a natural gift from the Almighty God to the people of the northern region for their own benefit, hence the need to protect it.
Addressing lecturers, chiefs, DCEs and stakeholders at the occasion, the minister of food and agriculture, Mr. Mohammed Muniru Lemuna stated categorically that Ghana’s Shea industry is defined by its value chain, ranging from picking of the nuts through to processing them into butter and to marketing.
Financing the industry, he said, is one of the biggest constraint affecting entrepreneurs involved in the processing and marketing of Shea butter.
This, the minister revealed, stems from two major dimensions; inadequate production and marketing capital and deficient financing mechanisms accessed by Shea butter producers.
The author of the book, Professor Seidu Al-hassan expressed his profound gratitude to the invited guests for honouring his invitation and making the occasion a success.
By:Lilian D.Walter/zaaradio.com
