The NDA participated in a panel discussion titled “Scaling Shea Enterprises: Transitioning informal or small-scale businesses into competitive, investment-ready enterprises.” Panel members included GEA, WACSIR/UDS, CORD-GHANА, and NDA.
Mr. Milad represented the NDA and outlined the authority’s mandate to coordinate development initiatives and promote value addition across the shea value chain. He emphasized that coordinated regional planning — encompassing infrastructure, logistics, and enterprise support — is essential to transforming northern Ghana from a raw-material exporter into a processing hub.
NDA proposed a dedicated Shea Belt Feeder Road Fund to support feeder road rehabilitation and maintenance across the Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East, and Upper West regions, with maintenance contracts tied to community oversight.
They also proposed Decentralized Aggregation and Storage Hubs: solar-powered centers in Yendi, Bimbilla, Salaga, and Damango featuring drying floors, moisture-controlled storage, and grid-tied solar to connect villages to factories.
The panel approved a Coordinated SME Support Package that includes affordable credit, business development and formalization (GEA), technology and productivity training (WACSIR), quality certification, and market linkages.
The panel appointed NDA as the sole coordinating body to simplify access and avoid engaging multiple agencies.