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Let’s project our interest – Gender advocate
A gender advocate, Ms Habiba Nibaradun has called for more women in leadership position to ensure they projected needs of women in the country.
She stated that many unfavourable rules at work, in society and the country at large were as a result of the lack of women representation at the decision-making table to champion issues that affect women.
“We have been battling with issues of exclusive breastfeeding and how to combine work with raising a baby when there are no care centres at the offices and nothing much has been achieved because many of the people at the helm of affairs are males who do not understand the biological makeup of women and what their needs are”, she said.
Miss Nibaradun who was facilitator stated this at a sensitisation meeting for some young ladies drawn from the Wa West, Wa East and Sissala West District as well as the Wa Municipal Assemblies.
The workshop which was held in Wa in the Upper West Region over the weekend by the Network for Young Women Empowerment was supported by Plan International Ghana.
The facilitator highlighted that when women assumed higher positions, they did not only project the concerns of their constituents, but they ensured also that policies and programmes were gender sensitive to benefit every one.
The advocate lamented that there was still impediment to women’s quest for leadership positions in the country and said most of it were as a result of their gender.
She raised issues such as limited education among women and the limited commitment towards developing the capacity of women to better put them up for such positions as some of the hindrances.
“There are times when positions become vacant at an office and people are needed to fill them but few women than men apply because many of them do not have the needed qualification for the position; so we have many women working in the formal sector but most of them are low ranked personnel such as cleaners, secretaries and office assistants”, she bemoaned.
She said some political parties were also unwilling to support women who out for positions such as members of parliament as a result of the stereotypes surrounding women in politics and believe they will waste resources as the woman was unlikely to win.
She called for a stop to all such practices which according to her reduced the confidence of women in participating in every male dominated contest.
For her part, the Chairperson of the NYWE, Ms Ida Nakaar also said it was necessary to sensitise young girls to the essence of higher education which would better position them to assume such responsibilities.
“Women need to discover their potentials too and remain resolute to working on them not limit themselves to marriage and child bearing; we need more women at the decision table to help champion our issues”, she added.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
News
Mrs Dotse-Ametsi installed as Devt Queen
The Dome-Tsevie clan of Abutia-Kloe in the Ho West District of the Volta Region last weekend outdoored Mrs Joycelyn Akorfa Dotse-Ametsi as a Development Queen.
The ceremony which attracted traditional, political and business executives among others had Mr Bernand Mornah of the People’s National Convention Party as the special guest of honour.
Mrs Dotse-Ametsi with the ceremonial name of Mama Woe-Nenyo I, was tasked with liaising and spearheading development projects and educational reforms among others.
The ceremony also coincided with the 30 years anniversary of the death of Torgbe Abutia Kodzo XVI (ex-President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs) who happened to be her father.
Mama Woe-Nanyo I promised to adhere to the promise and expectations her clan has in her and not depart from the honour and respect her father radiated during his reign.
She called for the various clans of Abutia-Kloe to come together for the rapid development of Kloe and the Abutia Traditional Council.
News
The Golden Gift of the Savannah: The untold story of Shea Nut and Shea Butter
In the vast Savannah of Northern Ghana, where the sun ‘kisses’ the earth stands a tree revered for its economic and cultural significance – the shea tree.
For centuries, the shea nut plucked from this resilient tree, has been the lifeblood of countless women and communities, shaping economies, traditions, and futures across the northern regions of Ghana.
To many women, shea butter is not merely an ingredient in cosmetics and skincare.
It is a symbol of resilience and economic empowerment. This golden treasure provides a sustainable income for women who painstakingly gather, dry, and process the nuts into a rich butter renowned worldwide for its healing and moisturizing properties.
Beyond its nuts, the shea tree produces a sweet, edible fruit packed with vitamins and nutrients. Its pulp is an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which boost immunity, aid digestion, and promote overall health.
The fruit, often consumed fresh, serves as an essential source of nourishment for rural communities.
However, the journey from shea nut to shea butter is a laborious process requiring skill, patience, and sheer determination.
Women venture into the wild, walk long distances to collect fallen shea nuts.
After gathering, the nuts are boiled, sun-dried, and cracked open to reveal the kernels. These kernels are then roasted, grinded, and kneaded by hand until the oil separates from the solids, forming the smooth, fragrant butter which is now a staple in beauty and pharmaceutical industries, globally.
Shea butter is not the only valuable product derived from this remarkable tree. The shea nut also yields a highly nutritious cooking oil used traditionally in West African cuisine.
Rich in healthy fats, it promotes heart health and serves as a healthier alternative to palm oil and other cooking oils.
As global interest in natural and sustainable products grows, the demand for shea butter has surged.
Major cosmetic brands have embraced it as a key ingredient in lotions, hair products, and medicinal ointments, thanks to its high concentrations of vitamins A and E and anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, the food industry now recognises shea butter as a viable alternative to cocoa butter in chocolate production, further expanding its market value.
Yet, despite its growing international appeal, the shea industry faces significant challenges.
Climate change threatens the sustainability of shea trees, while middlemen and unfair pricing structures often limit the earnings of the women who produce the butter.
However, initiatives promoting fair trade, value addition, and sustainable harvesting practices offer hope for better economic returns for shea producers.
Organisations and cooperatives are working tirelessly to protect the shea tree and enhance the livelihoods of shea butter producers.
By introducing modern processing techniques, offering training programmes, and securing fair trade agreements, these efforts are ensuring that the legacy of shea butter continues to benefit local communities for generations to come.
Maria Johana Yuorpor, one of the women leading this transformation is a dedicated shea butter processor. For over a decade, she has championed quality production while equipping women with the skills to refine and add value to this ‘women’s gold.’
Maria’s journey into the shea butter industry was not one of mere chance but of deep-rooted passion and an unyielding commitment to uplift her community.
Growing up in a region where shea butter was a staple in homes used for cooking, skincare, and medicinal purposes, she witnessed firsthand its potential as a tool for economic empowerment.
Determined to make a difference, she immersed herself in intensive research and training, perfecting her craft to meet international standards.
Over the years, her expertise and commitment to quality production have earned her local and international recognition, shining a spotlight on Upper West shea butter.
According to Maria, the best shea butter comes from the Upper West Region due to the naturally rich and unpolluted environment in which shea trees flourish.
“The climate and soil here give our shea nuts a unique richness, which translates into high-quality butter with superior texture and moisturizing properties as well as the best way of processing it,” she explains.
Maria said, said when she begun understanding the importance of value addition, she started training women in her community on advanced processing techniques, including refining, packaging, and product diversification.
“Today, many of my trainees have expanded beyond producing raw shea butter to crafting soaps, body creams, and essential oils, all tailored for export markets”, she added.
To further enhance the shea industry and support women entrepreneurs, the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) among many organisations has stepped in with training and funding opportunities.
Mrs. Mercy Tuffour, Gender and Safeguarding Specialist in an interview said, KIC through their initiatives were training women on modern techniques in product formulation, branding, and market access, allowing them to elevate their shea-based businesses.
She emphasised the significance of these interventions: “We are committed to equipping women with the skills and resources needed to create high quality shea products that can compete in both local and international markets.
By adding value to raw shea butter, these women are transforming their livelihoods and securing better financial futures, where Northern Ghana becomes the hub of premium shea butter exports, driven by women entrepreneurs, she added.
She also advocated increased investment in shea butter processing facilities and seeks partnerships with global skincare and cosmetic brands to highlight Ghana’s superior shea butter.
As Maria Johana Yuorpor continues her mission, her story serves as an inspiration to many – proof that with passion, knowledge, and resilience, local resources can be transformed into global opportunities, changing lives one shea nut at a time.
Story/Photos from Geoffrey Buta, Nyoli, Upper West
