The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has inaugurated the Ghana Shea Workers Union (GSWU) as an affiliate of the General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU).

The GSWU is to help increase productivity, and ecosystems for decent work project in the shea industry.

Madam Felicia Kraja, the Northern Regional Secretary of TUC, at the inauguration, which was supported by the International Labour Organisation, said the TUC would work in collaboration with the GSWU to improve upon working conditions of players in the sector.

She said it would also ensure fair labour practices, safeguarding the rights and dignity of shea collectors, processors and traders.

She added that TUC would support GSWU to empower workers in the shea sector to foster a thriving and sustainable industry through advocacy, capacity building and collaborative efforts.

Madam Joan Naab, the Chairperson for GSWU called on the government and other stakeholders to secure favourable prices, policies, and support to strengthen the sector.

She appealed to stakeholders to build capacity of women and acquire modern machines to help increase efficiency and productivity.

She said GSWU would work together with the GAWU to ensure environmental sustainability and urged the government and development partners to come up with initiatives to enhance the resilience of shea trees and the communities to climate change.

Mr David Marcos, the Project Manager at ILO gave assurance that ILO would play a vital role in improving the standards of shea products, ensuring accessible, productive, and sustainable work worldwide in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity for the GSWU workers.

Miss Magdalena Wust, the Representative of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said SECO would contribute to sustained economic growth and fair working conditions of the GSWU.

Professor Abukari Alhassan, the Director of the West African Centre for Shea Innovation and Research at the University for Development Studies, said the institution would advocate for better wages and benefits and promote a safe working environment for GSWU workers.

He called on other institutions to play a key role to strengthen and transform the shea industry into a beacon of opportunity for Ghana and West Africa.