Women’s shea cooperative from Northern Ghana
Africana Skincare purchases the shea butter and African black soap directly from the cooperative.
The cooperative is made up of a network of 40 shea nut collectors and shea butter processing groups, with more than 750 women members. Unlike other shea butter producers, this cooperative is democratically managed by the women themselves, instituted and agreed upon by all. Profits generated from the sale of products are shared equally among all members.
Pagsung “Good Woman”
In line with achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), one of the cooperatives main objective is to reduce poverty by empowering the women to reduce gender inequality and aiding them to have a sustainable source of livelihood. The cooperative also ensures that its’ members, regardless of educational background, take part in training sessions geared towards providing them with skills and knowledge to guide their financial and personal growth.
What does empowerment mean to women in Northern Ghana?
Women in Northern Ghana are especially vulnerable to poverty due to gender inequality. More than half of female headed households in rural areas are among the poorest 20% of the population. This results in malnutrition, food insecurity, poor maternal health, and high child mortality. Despite all this, women still bear heavier workloads and work at least twice as many hours as men. This is one of the reasons why it is so important we buy our raw materials directly from the women. By doing so we contribute in supporting the cooperative which in turn gives them opportunity, space and resources to grow. This is going to aid in reducing poverty in rural areas, to induce inclusive economic growth, and to ensure the economic prosperity all women.
African Ancestral Beauty Products
Shea butter has been used since ancient times as an edible oil, medicine, cream, and soap base. It has superior moisturizing, regenerative, and medicinal properties.
