Women from Konjiehi community in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region are praising Baraka Impact for the new Konjiehi Women’s Enterprise Centre.
Baraka Impact is a Canadian/Ghanaian family-owned Shea Butter business founded by Wayne Dunn his wife Gifty Serbeh-Dunn.
The new Enterprise Centre for the women of Konjiehi will serve as a production hub for shea butter and other farming-related income-generating activities.
The new facility will enable the women to earn more money through their work with Baraka Impact.
The women numbering close to 100 are into organic shea butter production for export to over 70 communities around the world through.
Madam Alimata Adams, the Leader of Women in Konjiehi, spoke at the inauguration ceremony of the Enterprise Centre in Konjiehi on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
She noted that their association with Baraka Impact has been a blessing to them. According to her, they are now able to pay their children's school fees and also support their husbands in managing household expenses.
“Baraka has been a blessing to us, the women of Konjiehi, as well as our children and husbands. Previously, we used to carry our shea butter on our heads to the Wa market. If we were not lucky enough to find buyers, we had to bring our products back home and wait until the next week's market day.”
“However, since we have associated ourselves with Baraka a few years ago, we no longer have to go to Wa market to sell our shea butter. Now, we are able to sell our products easily.
This has enabled us to pay our children's school fees, support our husbands and we are truly grateful to Baraka for the help and support they have provided us,” she said.
During her address, Madam Gifty Lagejua, the Organizer for Baraka Impact, mentioned that the women of Konjiehi have been producing shea butter for many years.
However, they have been facing challenges in scaling up their business and expanding their market. She added that the women's association with Baraka Impact has been immensely impactful.
“Baraka Impact has impacted the livelihood of these women and their families in so many folds. Creating jobs for these women which intend help them to support their families.”
According to Theophilus Apronti, General Manager of Baraka Impact, the Enterprise will both serve as a shea butter production centre and a place for skills development.
He said “the shea butter produced here will not only nourish our skin but nurture economic growth, providing employment opportunity and fostering entrepreneurship.”
“This Centre is not just a facility, it is a hub for skill development where individuals will learn the art and science of shea butter production,” he said.
Konjiehi Naa Hashim Naa Yakubu Soule, the chief of Konjiehi in his address thanked Baraka Impact for the Women’s Resource Centre. He advised the women to stop cutting down shea trees for charcoal.
The CEO of Baraka Impact, Prof. Wayne Dunn, stated that the success of Baraka Impact is a result of the partnership between the women of Konjiehi and the other communities the company is working with and the customers of the company.
Professor Wayne Dunn was enskinned as the development chief of Konjiehi for his significant contribution to the women of the community. His skin name is Tengmaale Naa.
