Government committed to establishing an effective Shea Board - Veep

Accra, Aug. 1, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on monday renewed government's commitment to establishing a National Shea Board to institute regulatory measures in the shea industry.

He said the task of the board was enormous and therefore needed varied consultations that would make it viable to cater for the effective trade needs of the industry.

Vice President Mahama said this when the leadership of Global Shea Alliance called on him at the Castle, Osu, to thank him for collaboration and government's demonstration of interest in the industry.

The group, which was inaugurated four months ago, has among other challenges complained on price regulation among the 21-member countries.

Vice President Mahama said the board, would among other responsibilities, take care of the occupational welfare of the shea nut pickers, increase local processing and regulate prices of the commodity on the domestic market.

He said the annual collection rate was about only 40 percent and that with the inauguration of the board it could encourage more people as they would be spared of the dangerous reptiles they encountered in their picking activity.

The Vice President said government had signed all necessary protocols concerning the export of the commodity, but the insistence of other Economic Community of West African States to impose taxes were posing challenges.

He said government was considering using maritime transport as an alternative to air and road transport which were more expensive and cumbersome in nature.

Vice President Mahama called for an elaborate educational campaign against the felling of Shea trees and other economic trees in the northern regions of the country.

Madam Eugenia Akuete, Chairperson of Global Shea Alliance, commended government for the assistance in the administration of the industry.

She, however, appealed to government to put up an effective structure in the industry and infrastructure to support regulation and a longterm national development plan for its growth and development