SHEA BUTTER AND ITS PROCESSING IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS OF GHANA

Abstract

Shea tree is an indigenous and exclusive asset in West and Central Africa and particularly wide spread in the Northern part of Ghana. This study examined the effects of shea butter processing on the environment in the Tamale Metropolis and also analyzes the efficiency of resources used in shea butter processing for improved and traditional method of processing. Interviews, focus group discussions and field observation were used for the study with 126 respondents. Analytical tools used include descriptive statistics comprising charts; tables and frequency distribution with the use of SPPSS for the data analysis. The findings are that the semi-mechanized method is more suitable in terms of less and efficient resource maximization than the traditional method. The disposed slur inhibits plant growth and contributes to changing the soil structure. The results of the probit model reveal that labor (t=0.241, p<0.01), water (t=0.189, p<0.01), fuel wood (t=0.061, p<0.01) and processing experience (t= 0.152, p<0.01) showed a positive significant relationship with the efficiency of resources used for the processing methods. The sign for each coefficient is consistent with the expectation; that is, the probability of using more resources increases cost of processing and reduces efficiency of the processing methods.