In a historic move to boost international collaboration and local industrial growth, the World College of Mayors (WCM) has signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key players in Ghana’s shea industry — the Ghana Shea Employers Association, the Ghana Shea Workers Union, and the Association of Northern Cluster of Cosmetics Producers (ANCCP).

The agreements, coordinated and approved by the WCM Global Headquarters in El Segundo, California, were officially signed in Accra, Ghana, under the leadership of Mr. Alhassan Abdallah Musah, Secretary-General and Head of the World College of Mayors.

The ceremony was led by Dr. Manohar Roy, WCM’s Global Operations Director, and Mr. Yelzaalem Vitus Mbabil, National Secretary of the Ghana Shea Employers Association.

Also in attendance was Mr. Jerry Kenny, WCM’s West Africa Director, who played a key role in facilitating the collaboration, alongside representatives from the shea industry and development partners.

Under the MoUs, the World College of Mayors has been officially appointed as the Permanent Consultant on Progress and Development for Ghana’s leading shea industry bodies.

The partnership aims to promote industrial modernisation, capacity building, women’s empowerment, and international market linkages for shea producers and cosmetics manufacturers across Northern Ghana.

Speaking on behalf of WCM, Mr. Alhassan Abdallah Musah described the agreement as “a milestone in connecting cities and communities through trade, innovation, and shared prosperity.”

“This historic signing reflects WCM’s commitment to using city leadership as a platform for community development,” he said.

“Through this partnership, we are supporting Ghana’s shea sector — a vital source of income for thousands of women — with global exposure, training, and investment linkages.

We want to see Ghana’s shea industry reach its full potential as a model of inclusive and sustainable enterprise.”

As part of the partnership, WCM announced three flagship initiatives to promote innovation and visibility within the shea value chain:

Shea Butter Day – An annual global celebration of the cultural and economic importance of shea production, led by women and youth entrepreneurs.

Shea Butter Village – A development and training hub to be established in Northern Ghana for processing, packaging, research, and export-readiness.

Shea Butter Conference – A global convening platform to unite producers, investors, mayors, and policymakers to advance sustainable trade and industrial development.

“The Shea Butter Day and Village will not only honour the hardworking women of Ghana but will connect their products directly to international markets through our global city network,” Mr. Musah added.
“Our cities will serve as marketplaces, classrooms, and bridges for inclusive economic progress.”

Expressing appreciation on behalf of Ghana’s shea industry, Mr. Yelzaalem Vitus Mbabil, National Secretary of the Ghana Shea Employers Association, lauded the World College of Mayors for its visionary partnership.

“We are deeply grateful to the Secretary-General, Mr. Alhassan Abdallah Musah, and the entire WCM leadership for believing in the potential of Ghana’s shea industry,” he said.

“This collaboration opens new doors for growth, investment, and global visibility.

The women, youth, and artisans within the shea value chain now have a strong ally in the World College of Mayors.”

Dr. Manohar Roy, WCM’s Global Operations Director, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to sustainable local-industry partnerships, noting that the collaboration exemplifies how “cities and industries can work hand in hand for inclusive progress.”

Mr. Jerry Kenny, WCM West Africa Director, concluded by emphasising that the agreement reflects WCM’s broader vision of city-led economic empowerment:

“Through this MoU, we are connecting Ghana’s Northern communities to a world of opportunities — transforming local potential into global prosperity.”