Kuoru Kuri-Buktie Limann IV, the Paramount Chief of the Gwollu Traditional Area in the Upper West Region, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for his tremendous efforts in promoting the growth of the shea industry in the country.

He said the recent announcement by the President to establish two new shea nut processing factories in the Upper East and Upper West Regions, in addition to the one in Buipe in the Northern Region, would help add value to the processing of shea nuts in the country; declaring that "this is a step in the right direction, which deserves commendation".

Kuoru Kuri-Buktie Limann IV gave the commendation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on the sideline of a day’s seminar organized by the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Africa and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) on, “Managing Agribusiness in West Africa”.

The seminar provided opportunities for both academics and practitioners to debate some of the theoretical and policy issues that are of relevance to agribusiness development in the sub-region.

“Well, we are very happy, and our people are now very happy that the President has said that they are going to establish a shea nut processing factory in the Upper East and West Regions,” he said.

He appealed to the President to ensure that the shea nut processing factories also produce shea butter oil and other products for both local consumption and the export market.

He called for value addition to the butter by converting it into cosmetics, edible oil and pharmaceutical products before export; to generate more foreign exchange for the nation’s socio-economic development.

Kuoru Kuri-Buktie Limann IV, who is also the Executive Chairman of the Takhila Farms and Seed Oil Limited, an agro-products and oil processor, appealed to government to help promote local industries, small and medium enterprises and agri-businesses by creating the congenial atmosphere for them to grow.

“It is very difficult for agro-businesses in the country to obtain loans from banks, due to high lending rates and demands for landed properties as collateral,” he said.

He also urged research institutions such as the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) not to allow their findings to gather dust on the shelves, but rather make them available to shareholders like SMEs and the farmers for them to utilize for the nation’s benefits.

He said highly reputable research institution like the CSIR must make its presence felt across the lengths and breadth of the nation by disseminating its findings.

Professor Shashidhara Kolavalli, Senior Research Fellow, Development Strategy and Governance Division, IFPRI, hailed Ghana for ensuring that over the years, food production had always met the demands of the people.

He said better technological innovation and more adaptive trials could get the agriculture industry growing in the country.