President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated the SheaPark Resource Hub at the Wa Naa’s Palace in Wa, marking what stakeholders describe as a major intervention to accelerate economic recovery and industrial advancement in the Upper West Region. The launch took place on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

The project, a flagship initiative, is aimed at transforming the regional economy by promoting industrial activity and value addition across the shea value chain, with the goal of integrating the Upper West Region more strongly into Ghana’s national agro-industrial development drive.

At the launch ceremony, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, the driving force behind the initiative, characterised the event as a “royal honour and blessing.”

He expressed gratitude to the organisers for allowing him to participate in what he described as a landmark development effort.

Mr Bagbin noted that the SheaPark Resource Hub offers a strategic pathway for development that extends beyond the Upper West Region to benefit the entire country.

He said the project represents a significant step in rebuilding the regional economy through approaches that are sustainable, inclusive and rooted in community participation.

He further explained that the initiative is closely aligned with major government policies such as the Big Push, the 24-Hour Economy and the Accelerated Export Development agenda.

According to him, the SheaPark model reflects President Mahama’s broader vision of a self-sustaining, industrially competitive and export-oriented Ghana, underpinned by integrated value chains and a highly skilled workforce.

President Mahama, for his part, highlighted the need to maximise the value of local resources as a strategy for job creation, income growth and poverty reduction, especially in regions that have historically lagged behind in development.

The ceremony attracted a cross-section of dignitaries, including the Paramount Chief of Wa, His Royal Highness Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV; the Member of Parliament for Wa Central; regional ministers; Municipal and District Chief Executives; parliamentary and presidential officials; and other distinguished guests from within and outside the region.

The SheaPark Resource Hub is expected to stimulate growth in the shea industry, expand export opportunities and reinforce Ghana’s commitment to inclusive industrialisation.