In a move set to transform the economic landscape of Northern Ghana, the Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq., officially delivered a keynote address during the landmark launch of the Sheapark Resource Hub last Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Upper West Region is endowed with myriad opportunities beyond Shae. We have fertile lands suitable for large-scale commercial farming, we have the mass potential in agro processing, livestock production, renewable energy, eco-tourism and trade
The ceremony, held at the Wa Naa Palace, was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, and the Wa Naa, His Royal Majesty Naa Fuseini Pelpuo IV.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Puozuing described the initiative as a “game changer” for the region and the nation at large. He emphasised that the hub is designed to provide local shea farmers, processors, and traders with a centralised platform to access modern technology, specialised training, and a global market link to boost the national economy.
“The Sheapark Resource Hub is not just a destination, it is the beginning. The Upper West Region is endowed with myriad opportunities beyond Shae. We have fertile lands suitable for large-scale commercial farming, we have the mass potential in agro processing, livestock production, renewable energy, eco-tourism and trade,” the Minister stated.
A central theme of the Minister’s speech was the empowerment of women, who form the backbone of the shea sector. He expressed profound gratitude to the President for the donation of 20,000 pairs of Wellington boots and hand gloves, a promise fulfilled following the World Shea Expo 2025 held in Tamale.
The Minister noted that this gesture is a strong signal of the government’s recognition of women’s vital contribution to the national economy.
The launch follows the success of the 2025 World Shea Expo, a strategic collaboration between Savannah Golden Tree Limited, the Presidential Initiative on Agriculture and Agribusiness, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).
Hon. Puozuing also took the opportunity to update the President on regional progress, noting that contractors for the “Big Push” project have moved to the site and road works are progressing steadily.
Some key highlights of the Sheapark Initiative include a centralised data system to empower investors with informed decision-making tools, Value Addition by shifting from exporting raw nuts to finished products like lotions and ointments, and the 24-Hour Economy, where the hub will operate in shifts to create continuous employment for the youth.
Let us shift from being spectators of development to becoming the architects of our own development
Closing his remarks, the Regional Minister urged the people of the Upper West Region to “patronise, own, and make it work.” He invited investors and entrepreneurs to look beyond shea, highlighting the region’s potential in agro-processing, livestock, renewable energy, and eco-tourism.
“Let us shift from being spectators of development to becoming the architects of our own development,” he concluded.
