N/R: GHANA SHEA WORKERS UNION (GSWU) INAUGURATED

By: Gideon Adu

The Ghana Shea Workers Union (GSWU) officially was inaugurated at the Catholic Guest House in Tamale in the Northern Region under the Umbrella of the General Agricultural workers Union ( GAWU), marking a transformative chapter in the empowerment of shea workers across the country. The Ghana Shea Workers Union is a collective of shea harvesters, processors, and traders unified under the vision of promoting equity, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability in the shea industry. The union seeks to address the challenges faced by Shea workers, including access to markets, and capacity development. The event organized by TUC and graced by international partners, industry stakeholders, and community leaders, celebrates the union’s commitment to fostering economic growth, fair trade practices, and sustainable livelihoods for Shea workers, especially women.

The regional secretary Sister Felicia Kraja in her welcome address on behalf of the Trades Union Congress of Ghana welcomed everyone and expressed her happiness to see all partners in attendance. She expresses her gratitude to the ILO, SECO and NORAD, for enabling the program. She stated that the ILO’s productivity and ecosystems for decent work project is one that is impactful and results driven, and the program’s goal is to demonstrate the project’s implementation’s outcome. For us workers, this meeting is more than just a get-together of individuals with common interests; it is a source of optimism for the people of the North and Ghana as a whole. “she said”.

She explained that the Shea industry over the years has helped women take care of their basic needs, such as , food, their children’s educational needs, and their health, by giving them jobs and income. Shea workers are excluded from social protection and receives little attention, despite its potential to help reduce poverty among workers in Northern Ghana. Despite their potential, women continue to live in poverty. Against this background, the collective force of Trades Unions is very much needed to get the government and other industry players to avert exploitation of the rural women and their households, influence policies that will regularize the Shea market locally and internationally. She outlined the objectives for organizing the Ghana Shea workers Union, this includes, to provide the opportunity for the Shea workers to enjoy the right to decent work, to promote sustainable Shea Industry, Shea workers will have a collective voice and collectively bargain their conditions of work, to promote Organizational Health and Safety of workers in the Shea industry and to Promote Gender equality.

In her opening remarks, Sister Rebecca Yankson, Regional Chairperson of the TUC and the event’s chairperson, expressed her joy at this historic and unforgettable day. The Ghana Shea Workers Union’s inauguration is a dream come true she said. Many thanks to the TUC, GAWU, ILO, SEKO, and other stakeholders’ leadership for making this a success. stating that everyone need to support the usage of shea and urged the Union members to take pride in their output. She also urged the government and other stakeholders to give the shea the same consideration and attention as they do cocoa.

Ms. Magdalena Wust, Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs at the Swiss Embassy, commended the Shea workers for their organization and, in particular, TUC for their efforts to promote the cause. Encouraging the Shea Workers union members to concentrate on the shea industry as the union will achieve a lot. Their primary goals as an organization is to provide a supportive environment, fair play, and favorable working conditions for trade unions, she continued. Furthermore, she calls on the leadership to collaborate in order to accomplish the intended purpose of the union.

ILO project manager Mr. David Marcus expressed his satisfaction with the Shea sector’s unity in his Solidarity message, saying that everyone matters in the pursuit of social justice. He also said Shea is not paying as much attention as Cocoa, despite the fact that it is a significant sector that requires attention. He urges leadership to engage in conversation to create a pleasant working environment that is decent work for everyone in the industry, which will bring sustainability and productivity to the union. He is well aware that the union will struggle since struggle is a part of the union. He went on to say that the ILO and its partners will always support the Union and entreats the Union to work together in solidarity to accomplish its objective.

Mr. Sumaila, on behalf of the director of the Tree Crop Authority, stated that productivity and good work will not come easy. And that the Authority is dedicated to the Shea Value chain. He went on to say that the union’s establishment is essential and that the people at the core of the sector must be empowered to take charge of their own destiny. Furthermore, the Tree Crop Authority is prepared to demonstrate its constant support by advancing policies and programs that will allow the Union to continue to grow and prosper because shea pickers and workers are the foundation of the shear sector. Since Ghana is the leading sheabutter esporter, he exhorts the leadership to develop its brand by putting policies into place and doing advocacy networking in order to help the Union remain relevant in the market. He commended the leadership and acknowledged the work of TUC, ILO, and other partners for making this a success, serving as a ray of hope for the Shea industry.

The Ghana Employers Association’s leadership, Mr. Kingsley Laar, stated that without social dialogue, workers would not have a positive work environment. The GEA’s goal is to ensure social dialogue and coexistence in the Shea industry, which is why he appreciates the leadership’s efforts in organizing the Shea Workers Uinon. Speaking on the topic of “the Rights of the Shea Worker matters,” he stated that as workers, we must understand the key tool for our diverse jobs, which is our rights. When we work together, employers will be much more productive. On their part as GSEA, they are really happy that the Union was established since it will make their job easier. They are also prepared to unite their support by working together to accomplish the Union’s objective.

In his statement, General Agriculture Workers Union National Chairman Bro. Michael Gyesi expressed his happiness at the emergence of a new union within the GAWU umbrella. He calls for and pledges to assist the union’s advancement by implementing advocacy strategies, social economic initiatives, and training programs that will enable the organization to accomplish its mission.

In a statement, Prof. Alhassan, the director of the West Africa Center for Shea Innovation and Research, expressed gratitude and appreciation for the ILO’s and other partners’ efforts to ensure that the voice and rights of the poor and disadvantaged shea pickers are finally heard. According to him, as the shea sector expands, we must make sure that it advances not just economically but also in a way that improves the standard of living for its participants. The Shea worker is at the center of the global value chain. He exhorts the Shea union members to get their voices heard and to cooperate in order to accomplish a shared objective. He said his sector will be holding a skill-training program, with a focus on women. He emphasized once more to the members of the union that group voice is more powerful than individual endeavor.

In his message of solidarity, Chief Adam Tampuri, a board member of the Tree Crop Development Authority, alaso expresses his happiness at the Shea Workers Union’s formation. It is a historic event, and he is grateful for the TUC, ILO, and other partners in making it happen. He goes on to describe the suffering endured by shea processors.According to him, being organized allows you to create better working conditions, advance in your company, and benefit everyone along the value chain, from the picker to the aggregator, trader, exporter, etc.

The Ghana Shea Workers Union envisions a thriving shea industry driven by empowered workers and sustainable practices. Future initiatives include: Launching a skills training center for shea workers, Establishing partnerships with international buyers, and Advocating for policies that protect shea trees and ecosystems.

The National Chairman of GAWU swore in the Union officers, and Sister Felicia Kraja, Regional Secretary, officially launched the Ghana Shea Workers Union on behalf of the TUC Secretary General.