Ghanaian-American Philanthropist Supports Widows in Wa West District with Sustainable Livelihood Initiatives

Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa seated in the middle front row

Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa, a renowned Ghanaian-American academic and philanthropist, has announced plans to mobilize support aimed at addressing the hardships faced by widows in the community. Professor Ofori-Dankwa, the Harvey Wickes Endowed Chair at Scott Kamuna College of Business, Seculvalley State University in Michigan, made these intentions known during an engagement with approximately 200 widows from the Widows Association in the Sanuori Electoral Area.

The meeting, held in the Sanuori community, provided a vital platform for the widows to voice their concerns and grievances, enabling the philanthropist to gain firsthand insights into their daily struggles. Emphasizing the importance of direct dialogue, Professor Ofori-Dankwa stated that his visit aimed to collaborate closely with the women to identify practical, sustainable solutions to alleviate their hardships.

He expressed confidence that targeted interventions—particularly those focused on income generation—would create meaningful change. Plans include providing resources to help widows establish or expand income-generating activities, thereby fostering self-sufficiency. Additionally, Professor Ofori-Dankwa disclosed plans to partner with Professor Bernard Obeng Aqua, who has been actively working with widows in Oda, to bolster support systems across the region.

During the engagement, the widows highlighted critical issues such as limited access to farming resources and water shortages. Professor Ofori-Dankwa acknowledged these challenges, noting that poverty often compels the children of widows to engage in illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey, in search of income—an activity that poses environmental and personal risks.

To address these issues, the Widows Association intends to serve as a hub for sharing farming techniques and processing methods to enhance productivity. Specific initiatives include supporting women in shea nut collection and improving shea butter processing techniques. As part of the support package, protective items such as boots and gloves will be supplied to shield the women from snake bites and dog attacks encountered during shea nut harvesting.

The association plans to organize collective shea nut gathering sessions to strengthen bargaining power, aiming to secure better prices for their products and increase income levels. These measures are designed not only to improve economic resilience but also to foster community solidarity among the widows.

Hon. Claudius Dare Kuuyor, the Wa West District Assemblyman, endorsed the initiative, urging the widows to view Professor Ofori-Dankwa’s engagement as a positive development. He emphasized that while immediate benefits might not be apparent, the support would yield long-term results, likening it to the care of a biological father for the community.