GSEA overview
Advancing the shea sector through representation, capacity building and inclusive growth
MISSION
To unite and empower employers in the shea sector to foster a thriving and sustainable industry through advocacy, capacity building, and collaborative efforts.
VISION
To be the leading trade association driving innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in the shea sector in Ghana.
CORE VALUES
Integrity
Upholding the highest ethical standards
Collaboration
Fostering partnerships and collective action
Excellence
Striving for the highest quality in the Shea value chain
About GSEA
The Ghana Shea Employers Association (GSEA) is the national umbrella body representing employers and enterprises operating across the shea value chain in Ghana. This includes shea processors, aggregators, exporters, cooperatives, and allied businesses. The Association was established to provide a unified voice for employers in the shea sector and to strengthen coordination, productivity, and decent work within the industry.
GSEA was formed with the facilitation of the Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work (PE4DW) Project. Its creation responds to long-standing challenges in the shea sector, including fragmentation, informality, limited access to markets and finance, low productivity, and weak representation at the national policy level—challenges that disproportionately affect women-led enterprises.
The Association works to promote decent work, enterprise development, and competitiveness in the shea industry, while advocating for sector-specific policies and institutional reforms. GSEA also serves as a platform for capacity building, business development services, market linkages, and stakeholder engagement at both national and international levels.
With a strong focus on inclusion, GSEA recognizes the central role of women in the shea value chain and actively supports women-led small and medium enterprises to improve productivity, quality standards, and business sustainability. Through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and member-focused services, GSEA is committed to contributing to the sustainable transformation of Ghana’s shea sector.