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Shea fruit: Savanah’s overlooked edible treasure
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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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The Ghana Police Service has arrested a man suspected of running a romance scam that targeted women with false marriage promises, blackmail, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The suspect, Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng, was arraigned alongside Sally Akosua Amoasah before the Accra Circuit Court 1 on charges of conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
According to preliminary investigations, Kwarteng posed as a pastor conducting online church services on Instagram. He allegedly told women that “God had revealed” they were his future wives.
To gain their trust, police say he went as far as meeting their families and presenting them with promise rings.
Investigators allege the suspect then obtained intimate images of some victims and used them to blackmail them for money.
He is also accused of introducing victims to a fake car tyre business. Under the pretext of shipping and clearing containers of tyres, he allegedly collected thousands of dollars from them before becoming unreachable.
Police further allege that Kwarteng shared the intimate images of some victims with his wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah, who is also accused of threatening the victims.
Seven victims have so far reported the matter to the Police. Investigations indicate the offences date back to 2021.
The court remanded Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng into Police custody to reappear on August 6, 2026. Sally Akosua Amoasah was granted bail.
The Ghana Police Service says it continues to receive complaints from other possible victims.
The Service is urging anyone who may have had similar encounters with the suspect to report to the nearest Police station to assist with ongoing investigations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana’s tourism industry is in mourning following the sudden death of Prince Anthony Bart-Appiah, a pioneering figure credited with helping to reconnect the African diaspora to the continent.
Prince Anthony passed away in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2026, at his private residence in Spintex, Accra.
He was instrumental in the development and promotion of “The Year of Return,” the flagship tourism campaign that invited members of the African diaspora to return to Ghana in 2019.
The initiative is widely regarded as a turning point that boosted Ghana’s tourism numbers and strengthened cultural ties with Black communities across the world.
Beyond his work with the GTA, Prince Anthony was the Chief Exexutive Officer (CEO) of Bridgezone, an agency dedicated to showcasing Africa to Western audiences and fostering cultural and business connections between the continent and the diaspora.
Colleagues describe him as passionate, strategic, and committed to telling authentic African stories that drive tourism, investment, and pride.
Widely known as Prince Anthony, he served as a Board Member of the Ghana Tourism Authority from 2025 to date.
A former British Army officer and a royal of the Akwamu clan, he brought discipline, vision, and a deep sense of heritage to every role he held
Prince Anthony was also a proud father to two teenagers, whom he deeply cherished.
In a statement, the *Ghana Tourism Authority extended its heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, friends, and all sympathizers.
“The tourism industry has lost a pioneering figure and a vital link to the diasporan community,” the statement read.
The statement further added that “We pray for strength for the family during this difficult time.”
Tributes have since poured in from tourism stakeholders, creatives, and diasporan groups who say Prince Anthony’s legacy will continue to shape how the world sees and experiences Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
