President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday, 31 January 2026, officially launched the SheaPark Resource Hub in Wa, describing the initiative as a major step towards economic revival in Ghana’s Upper West Region.
The launch, held at the Wa Naa’s Palace, marked the formal unveiling of a flagship intervention aimed at revitalising the regional economy through industrialisation and value addition in the shea sector. The project seeks to position the Upper West as a strategic player in Ghana’s broader agro-industrial transformation agenda.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who is also the proponent of the initiative, described the occasion as a “royal honour and blessing”. He expressed gratitude to the organisers for the opportunity to participate in what he termed a historic and potentially transformative intervention.
Bagbin said the SheaPark Resource Hub represents a critical development pathway not only for the Upper West Region but for the country as a whole. According to him, the project signals a renewed effort to resuscitate the regional economy through sustainable, inclusive and community-driven development, with a strong focus on empowering local producers, particularly women involved in shea nut processing.
He explained that the hub aligns closely with the government’s flagship development programmes, including the Big Push infrastructure agenda, the 24-Hour Economy policy and the Accelerated Export Development strategy. The initiative, he noted, draws inspiration from President Mahama’s vision of building a self-reliant, industrially competitive and export-oriented Ghana, supported by integrated value chains and a globally competitive workforce.
President Mahama, in remarks at the launch, underscored the importance of adding value to Ghana’s natural resources as a means of creating jobs, boosting exports and reducing regional economic disparities. He said the shea sector holds significant untapped potential and could serve as a catalyst for inclusive growth if properly structured and supported.
The event was attended by His Royal Highness Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, Paramount Chief of Wa; the Member of Parliament for Wa Central; senior parliamentary and presidential staff; regional ministers; Municipal and District Chief Executives; and other distinguished guests.
Organisers said the SheaPark Resource Hub is expected to support processing, training, research and market access within the shea value chain, helping to transform the Upper West Region into a hub for agro-industrial activity and export-led growth.