Director of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, has described the establishment of Ghana's first large-scale hybrid shea plantation farm at Futa in the Tamale South Constituency as a historic milestone that will transform the future of the country's shea industry.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the World Shea Expo 2026 in Tamale, Dr Otokunor said the project represents a significant breakthrough in efforts to translate years of scientific research into practical solutions capable of driving growth, investment and job creation within the shea value chain.

“This morning we had the rare opportunity to ink history by bringing research into practice,” Dr Otokunor told participants at the Expo.

According to him, the initiative saw Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang plant the first hybrid shea plantation in honor of President John Dramani Mahama.

The plantation, named the John Mahama Shea Demonstration Farm, is expected to become a major centre for research, innovation and commercial shea production.

Dr Otokunor noted that the project is particularly significant because it introduces a hybrid shea variety developed through research that dramatically reduces the waiting period associated with traditional shea cultivation.

“Thanks to our able researchers at CRIG, we have developed this variety of shea which matures in three years, significantly reducing the maturity period from between 20 and 30 years for the wild variety,” he said.

He explained that the shortened maturity period has the potential to revolutionize shea production in Ghana by encouraging more young people and investors to venture into the industry while ensuring sustainable raw material supply for processors and exporters.

The PIAA Director further disclosed that the demonstration farm, situated on a 30-acre parcel of land secured at no cost to the state, would serve multiple purposes beyond cultivation.

“This demonstration farm is not only intended for research and development purposes, but to among other things serve as a heritage site and an anchor for Shea Tourism in Ghana,” Dr. Otokunor stated.

To ensure the project's long-term sustainability, he announced the establishment of a Technical Management Committee to oversee its operations.

The committee will be hosted by the West African Centre for Shea Innovation and Research at the University for Development Studies and will include representatives from key institutions such as CRIG, TCDA, traditional authorities and PIAA.

Dr Otokunor described the development as part of broader efforts to reposition Ghana's shea industry as a globally competitive sector capable of generating jobs, attracting investment and increasing export earnings.

He emphasized that women and youth remain central to that vision, noting that more than one million people are engaged across the shea value chain and stand to benefit from innovations that improve productivity and value addition.

The World Shea Expo 2026, being held under the theme “From Local Commodity to Global Brand: Accelerating Women and Youth-led Value Addition in Shea,” has attracted thousands of participants from Ghana and abroad, including investors, exporters, development partners, researchers and policymakers.

For Dr Otokunor, the launch of the hybrid plantation is more than an agricultural project; it is a symbol of what can be achieved when research, policy and investment come together to unlock opportunities for future generations.

“This year we are not just showcasing products and innovation; we are showcasing potential, demonstrating that Ghana is ready to lead,” he said.

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