News
Shea fruit: Savanah’s overlooked edible treasure
Every year between May and August, Northern Ghana comes alive with the shea season.
While most people know the shea tree for its butter used in cooking, cosmetics, and traditional medicine, few outside the region have tasted its fruit fresh from the branch.
The shea fruit is small, oval, and green when unripe. It turns yellowish when ready to eat. Beneath the thin skin lies a sweet, creamy pulp with a flavour often described as a cross between mango and avocado.
The taste is subtle but refreshing, and for many in the north, it is a seasonal delight that marks the beginning of the rains.
In rural communities, children are the first to take advantage of the bounty. At dawn, they collect fallen fruits under the trees, eating them on the way to school. Farmers, too keep a few in their pockets to snack on during long hours on the fields.
For older folks, the shea fruit brings back memories of childhood breakfasts and the joy of sharing food that cannot be stored or sold for long.
For others, the fruit is a seasonal business opportunity. Women and children often gather the fallen fruits and sell them in small bowls at local markets.
Rahama, a market woman at the Tamale Central market, said she sells a bowl of shea fruit for between GH¢5 and GH¢10, depending on the size.
She also mentioned that though the price is peanut, comparing the risk of gathering them in the bush, it helps to buy soap or pay for the children’s school needs.
“Shea butter brings bigger income later, but the fruit gives us quick cash,” she said.
Speaking to Musah Alhassan from Tolon, a 29-year-old farmer, he stated that he eats the fruit almost every day because of the health benefit.
He said, unlike sweets, it doesn’t leave you thirsty or tired during the season, saying that, “we grew up eating shea fruit every year. It makes you strong, gives you energy for the farm, and you hardly fall sick during the season.”
Mr Eric Banye, an Industry expert says the fruit deserves more recognition for its nutritional and economic potential. He also stated that the shea tree is celebrated globally for its butter, but the fruit is an overlooked treasure.
“It provides rural households with vitamins, quick income, and food security during the lean season. Promoting shea fruit consumption could add another dimension to the value chain while preserving cultural traditions,” he explained.
He stated that by continuous protection, over 5,000 hectares of shea trees destroyed annually for charcoal will be saved as the Northern region battles desertification.
Beyond its sweetness, the shea fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C and potassium, which support immunity and heart health. It also contains natural antioxidants that help the body fight inflammation.
Furthermore, Mr Banye noted that, comparatively, the shea butter lasts for months, but the fruit must be eaten within days when it matures because it spoils quickly, making it a gift best enjoyed under the very tree that bore it.
This fleeting nature adds to its charm, reminding locals that the shea tree doesn’t only add economic resource but also a seasonal source of nourishment and pleasure.
In the rush for shea butter exports, the humble fruit is often overlooked. But in Northern Ghana, its short-lived sweetness, its hidden health benefits, and its modest economic value remain a cherished taste of home.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
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News
National Service Authority gets new Director-General
The National Service Authority (NSA) has officially welcomed a new Director-General, Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, following a brief handing-over ceremony at its headquarters on Tuesday.
The event marked the formal transfer of leadership from the outgoing Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, to Ms. Seddoh. Management and staff of the Authority attended the ceremony.
Mr. Gyamfi used the occasion to thank staff for their support during his tenure.
He encouraged them to give the same cooperation to Ms. Seddoh to ensure the continued growth and impact of the Authority.
Ms. Seddoh expressed appreciation to government for the confidence placed in her.
She promised to build on the achievements of her predecessor and called for teamwork, dedication and innovation to help the NSA deliver on its mandate to support national development.
Management of the Authority pledged their full support to the new leadership as the organisation enters its next phase.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NSA board sets up committee to supervise digital reforms
The Governing Board of the National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the inauguration of a Transition and Implementation Steering Committee (TISC) to oversee the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Board, the move follows a letter dated 17 June 2025 from the Office of the President to the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment directing the suspension of the existing deployment system, calling for an audit of its operations and instructing the design and deployment of a new digital platform.
The Board explained that the audit had been completed and had found the existing system unsatisfactory.
It indicated that the Minister had written to the Board to begin the necessary legal processes to ensure the contract for the audited system, which expired in August 2025, would not be renewed, and to take further steps toward designing and deploying a new digital platform that would guarantee transparency, security and real-time verification of service personnel postings.
It stressed that the TISC had been established to ensure a smooth and orderly transition from the current National Service Scheme digital platform to a new ICT-led system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority outlined the Committee’s mandate as overseeing the phased migration from the legacy system, directing the design and deployment of a modern digital platform, and supervising its operationalisation across core functions including personnel enrolment, postings, payroll, allowances and scheme administration.
It further noted that acting under the directives of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment and deriving authority from the NSA Board, the TISC has the power to issue instructions to NSA departments and engage external partners necessary to achieve its mandate through the Governing Board.
The Authority named Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, a member of the NSA Board and Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, as chair of the Committee.
Other members include Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Mr. Shadrack Mensah, Ms. Elorm Goh, Mr. Benjamin Freeman Kusi, Ms. Jennifer Opong, Dr. Stephan Nwolley, Mr. Koku Abotsi, Mr. Japhet Kuntu, Mr. Nabil Abubakar Hussayn and Ms. Regina Obenewa Penrose as Secretary.
The NSA Board assured the public and stakeholders of its commitment to innovation, accountability and excellence in service delivery.
It emphasised that there would be no disruption in the fulfilment of its obligations to national service personnel as outlined in the National Service Act, Act 1119 (2024), and indicated that updates on the Committee’s progress would be communicated in due course.
With the collective expertise of its members, the TISC is expected to deliver a robust and future-ready platform that will anchor the next phase of the National Service Scheme’s operations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
