Ghana Shea Firms Grow After Business Training Program

Business training is changing lives for hundreds of women working in Ghana's shea butter industry, and the results are already showing up in bigger teams and smarter growth strategies.

Ten shea processing companies in the Savannah Region just wrapped up a business management program funded by Switzerland and Norway. The training reached 574 workers total, with 40 completing an intensive series of classes and hands-on coaching through the International Labour Organisation's SCORE program.

Amina Mumuni runs Amishea Company Ltd in Bole and says the training flipped a switch for her business. "Initially, we were operating normally and somehow informally, but after the training we realized we need to be more formal as an enterprise and improve our visibility and marketing strategy," she explained. Her company has now hired a dedicated marketing strategist for the first time.

The growth isn't just on paper. Adam Saana of Titiaka CMA in Damongo watched his enterprise's membership jump from 36 to 53 people since finishing the program.

Project Manager David Marcos says the Savannah Region has huge economic potential that's often overlooked. The shea sector training reflects the ILO's commitment to developing opportunities in northern Ghana, where many women depend on shea processing for their livelihoods.

The Ripple Effect

This training doesn't stop with the 40 people who sat through the classes. Each graduate is expected to share what they learned with coworkers at their own companies, multiplying the impact across all 574 members. That means hundreds of women now have access to better business practices that could stabilize their income and help them compete in larger markets.

The program also included mental health and psychosocial support, recognizing that running a business involves more than just spreadsheets and marketing plans. Hajia Rabiatu Abukari, President of the Ghana Shea Employers Association, praised the sustained attention international partners are giving to northern Ghana's shea industry.

Regional Labour Officer Abukari Ibrahim encouraged the graduates to put their new skills to work immediately to stay competitive in a changing market.

The training is part of the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work project, which operates in Ghana, South Africa, and Vietnam. By strengthening businesses at every level, from policy to daily operations, the program aims to create lasting economic change in regions that need it most.

For the shea butter processors of Savannah, that change is already happening.