DEFENCELESS MASSIVE DEVASTATION OF THE SHEA-NUT TREE IN THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA.

The Shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii) is a tropical deciduous tree. It is native to Africa, West Africa especially. The Shea tree produces a certain kind of fruit with a very unique taste. The fruits, commonly called shea-nut, contain seeds, heavily endowed with oil, which are used in processing shea-butter.

In the past, the place of the shea-tree in the socio-cultural lives of the Northern tribes, was revered. The shea tree was highly regarded and even mystified. Rightfully so, it was the life-sustaining usefulness of the tree, in the daily lives of the people, that gave it that place in their heart. With shea-butter, which was produced from its oily seeds, the people did all their cooking and frying. It went into the making of their naturally produced local soap, and was their only but best naturally enriching skincare product. Today, with global modernisation of the world, the locals, especially the women, think the shea-tree has outlived its usefulness.

A massive assault on the shea-tree has long started for some years today. And year by year, the intensity and extension of the assault is alarmingly increasing. If we all sit down unconcerned, it won’t be long, there would be no more shea-tree around.

I am a friend of the earth. I find unpolluted inspiration in nature, the way it is, and I know Trees Lives matter. Lets join hands and rise up and rescue The Shea-Tree. Whenever you are burning charcoal at home to cook, or for whatever purpose, ask yourself this question: where does charcoal come from? The answer will help you appreciate the level at which the precious Shea-tree is falling.

Never you forget: The day the last (Shea)-tree dies, the last man dies.

Thank you.

Source: James Samuel Seidu