Nongre Crafts and Culture Foundation, NCCF. Ghana
Nongre C & C Foundation Center
P.O.Box 464,
Bolgatanga-Zebilla Road,
Bolgatanga, Ghana. Mail: [email protected]. Phone: +233 26 286 6330/ 0046707509287
.
20 april 2017
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
PROPOSAL FOR PARTNERSHIP IN RURAL ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT/SUSTAINABILITY
PROJECT FOR WOMEN &YOUTH IN SHEA-BUTTER & STRAW BASKETS WEAVING PT 1
We (Nongre Crafts and Culture Foundation) are more than glad to invite individual(s), organization(s) and
co-operate bodies to partner our subtle charity foundation in shea-butter production.
As a non-governmental charitable organization, we are focused on empowering rural communities
(particularly women and the youth) through agriculture, arts and crafts initiatives targeted at maintaining a
sustainable livelihood.
We consider the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), as a way to improve the understanding of the
occupations of poor people. It draws on the main factors that affect poor people’s livelihoods and the typical
relationships between these factors. It is a way used in planning new development activities and in assessing
the contribution that existing activities have made to sustaining livelihoods.
According to this approach NCCF, shall empower rural women/youth socially and economically through
business initiatives on Shea butter, Straw baskets and vocational training. Hence, proceeds will be used in
infrastructure, education and health care development.
Our initiative currently has a membership of 40-70 women and youth. Comprising single mothers and youth
undertaking diverse productive initiatives namely Straw baskets weaving, Shea butter production, Arts and
Crafts (vocational training). Yet we are open to admitting more members who wish to take part in this
program but due to limited resources we are unable to effectively attach all participants to programs.
The foundation of this organization is based on personal experiences growing up in a society of diverse
economic and social hardship with massive unemployment coupled with gender inequality, ignorance and
illiteracy. Strategically we operate in communities with vibrant economic potential under a rural
empowerment program. These communities are identified with a typical indigenous activity that has direct
economic benefit to women and youths, as well as locals and the nation as a whole.
REGIONAL BACKGROUND
The Upper East Region, second smallest of 10 administrative regions in Ghana has seen subtle
transformation over a decade, from infrastructure, road network, educational institutions, to rural
development. Nonetheless, it has failed to harness, as well as to utilize its potential to a distinct benefit and
revolution to satisfy its citizens in a long-term.
In the past our Region has been identified as one of the poorest among the three northern regions in Ghana.
A perception which in reality stands to differ with several developmental opportunities distinctively
attached to this region.
Identifying our region’s potential and effectively implementing initiatives for its benefit would give an
exclusive solution to improving the lives of our people. Comparative to the Western, European and Asian
super powers, the secret behind massive developmental breakthrough came as a result of them being able
to identify potentials attached to them coupled with proper implementation and serious dedication aimed
at transforming lives.
There are certain key areas that are of major developmental potential in our Region. Namely, Agriculture,
has always been the bedrock of our people and the key occupation of our rural communities. Proper
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approach and strategic initiatives coupled with technical support will transform and improve the lives of
the rice and tomato farmers at Vea and Navrongo, the onion and watermelon farmers at Bawku, and also
the millet and maize farmers at Bolgatanga. This sector employs a total of 85% of the indigenes and
contributes about 90% revenue to the assembly (Source GhanaWeb.com)
Besides the food production other well meaningful sectors include tourism and our vibrant craftworks
which in recent times has contributed economically to the well-being of the region. Nonetheless, the lack of
proper strategic management of these two industries has resulted in loss of funds for the region and
exploitation of various artisans.
It is estimated that over thousands of locally woven straw baskets leave the region for various
Europeans/western countries and Australia. An estimated amount of about $1-$5 million
dollars(GhanaWeb.com) is earned annually from this trade yet there is not much to say about the lives of
the vulnerable weavers in rural communities, with much emphasis on women. For this reason, NCCF is
keen on tackling issues concerning this sector with policies that will properly share funds earned based on
Fair Trade.
Theoretical Background
Agenda 21 of the UN Conference on Environment and Development outlines clearly action agenda for the
UN, other multilateral organizations, and individual governments around the world that can be executed at
local, national, and global levels. The "21" in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st Century. It has been affirmed and
modified at subsequent UN conferences. The third section of a 40chapter document on Agenda 21
emphasizes Strengthening the Role of Major Groups includes the roles of children and youth, women,
NGOs, local authorities, business and industry, and workers; and strengthening the role of indigenous
peoples, their communities, and farmers.
The popular expression “A family is never complete without the presence of a woman” shows that women
have to play significant roles in development and sustaining our region. Women form the backbone of every
society. Traditionally, women are expected to take care of the home, but these days we have career women
who, besides performing the role of housewives, also contribute significantly to the development of society.
In this era of modern civilization women have proven beyond reasonable doubt that they deserve equal
opportunities in all aspect of development, decision-making, policy implementation and developmental
activities pertaining to our region. Hence, women in our region have proven in diverse ways, from
administrative, business to arts and crafts just to name a few, their ability and significant contribution in
recent times towards our region’s development.
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The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations,
was established as an international financial institution in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974
World Food Conference. In their Sustainable Livelihood Approach SLA) certain key points have been
identified that include, placing the affected people, particularly rural poor people, at the center of a web of
inter-related influences that affect how these people create a livelihood for themselves and their households.
Closest to the people at the center of the framework are the resources and livelihood assets that they have
access to. These can include natural resources, technologies, their skills, knowledge and capacity, their
health, access to education, sources of credit, or their networks of social support.
The extent of their access to these assets is strongly influenced by their vulnerability context, which takes
account of trends (e.g. economic, political, and technological), shocks (e.g. epidemics, natural disasters, civil
strife) and seasonality (e.g. prices, production, and employment opportunities). Access is also influenced by
the prevailing social, institutional and political environment, which affects the ways in which people
combine and use their assets to achieve their goals. These are their livelihood strategies. Therefore, for our
Region to effectively harness the available resources at our disposal for our own benefit, administrative
leadership must place the interest of the people at heart, mind and hand.
NCCF imbibes the policy framework of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as it
outlines the strategic guidelines to tackling issues on sustainable livelihood in rural communities. People are
the main concern, rather than the resources they use or their governments. The Sustainable Livelihood
Approach (SLA) is used to identify the main constraints and opportunities faced by poor people, as
expressed by them. It builds on these definitions, and then supports poor people as they address the
constraints, or take advantage of opportunities. The framework is neither a model that aims to incorporate
all the key elements of people's livelihoods, nor a universal solution. Rather, it is a kind of stimulation for
thoughts and analysis, and it needs to be adapted and elaborated depending on the situation.
SLA has seven guiding principles. Rather of prescribing solutions or dictating methods, they are flexible and
adaptable approaches to diverse local conditions.
The guiding principles are:
•
Be people-centered. SLA begins by analyzing people's livelihoods and how they change over time.
The people themselves actively participate throughout the project cycle.
•
Be holistic. SLA acknowledges that people adopt many strategies to secure their livelihoods, and
that many actors are involved; Example such as the private sector, ministries, community-based
organizations and international organizations.
•
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Be dynamic. SLA seeks to understand the dynamic nature of livelihoods and what influences them.
•
Build on strengths. SLA builds on people's perceived strengths and opportunities rather than
focusing on their problems and needs. It supports existing livelihood strategies.
•
Promote micro-macro links. SLA examines the influence of policies and institutions on livelihood
options and highlights the need for policies to be informed by insights from the local level and by the
priorities of the poor.
•
Encourage broad partnerships. SLA counts on broad partnerships drawing on both the public and
private sectors.
•
Aim for sustainability. Sustainability is important if poverty reduction is to be lasting.
This policy framework on sustainable livelihood clearly reveals the weaknesses in rural communities and
gives options for the implementation of practical solutions in tackling obstacles hindering sustainable
livelihood in rural communities.
In a nutshell, for our region to attain rightful developmental status it is up to the authorities, cooperate
organizations and individuals to harness its potentials, to actively involve women and youth in diverse
initiatives of development and to implement a sustainable framework proposed by the International Funds
for Agricultural Development. These policies align with our foundation initiative on women/youth in shea
butter oil extraction.
Establish women and youth directly involved in this lucrative activity with adequate:
-Technical know=how/Technological Advancement
-Reliable buyer(s) or Ready market
-Equipment them with adequate market information.
-Strong bargaining power
- Establish a condusive environment for professional production of clean and better unrefined butter
(Standard factory)
NCCF is to establish economic transformation, social empowerment and gender equality of the rural
woman, hence, improving their lives through indigenous economic initiatives, along with provision of
healthcare and education for the rural youth.
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The foresight of this program is economic regeneration of impoverished communities with technical and
financial assistance. We want to assure reforming, building and sustaining existing sources of income
generation. With time, it’s our hope to create new subtle avenues of sustainable income generation while
adopting practices of environmental regeneration.
Shea butter is an off-white or ivory-coloured fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria
paradoxa). It is a triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid. It is widely used in
cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion. Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in Africa.
Occasionally, the chocolate industry uses shea butter mixed with other oils as a substitute for cocoa butter,
although the taste is noticeably different.
The English word "shea" comes from s’í, the tree's name in the Bambara language of Mali. It is known by
many local names, e.g., karité in the Wolof language of Senegal or in some parts of West Africa,
"ka3membo3" in the Frafra or Gurune language of Northern Ghana and many others.
Accounts from as early as Cleopatra's Egypt speak of caravans bearing clay jars of valuable shea butter for
cosmetic use. The funeral beds of early kings were carved in the wood of shea trees. Shea butter's skin care
and healing properties were first harnessed thousands of years ago and still is a major nutritious substance
for skin care/healing property. The history of shea as a precious commodity can be traced back to Ancient
Egypt, where shea butter was and continues to be used to protect the hair and skin in the fierce sun and the
hot dry winds of African deserts and savannah. Some call this the poverty-coping tree since everyone can
easily pick or harvest the fruits.
Shea butter is mainly used in the cosmetics industry for skin- and hair-related products (lip gloss, skin
moisturizer creams and emulsions, and hair conditioners for dry and brittle hair). It is also used by soap
makers, typically in small amounts (5-7% of the oils in the recipe), because it has plenty of Unsaponifiables,
and higher amounts result in softer soaps that have less cleaning abilities. Some artisan soap makers use
shea butter in amounts to 25% - with the EU regulating the maximum use around 28%, but it is rarely the
case in commercially produced soap due to its high cost against oils like palm or pomace (olive). It is an
excellent emollient for people who suffer dry skin conditions. No evidence shows it is a cure, but it alleviates
the pain associated with tightness and itching.
In some African countries such as Benin, Ghana shea butter is used for cooking oil,
as a waterproofing wax,
for hairdressing,
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for candle-making, and
as an ingredient in medicinal ointments.
It is used by makers of traditional African percussion instruments to increase the durability of wood (such
as carved djembe shells), dried calabash gourds, and leather tuning straps. Shea butter can be an ingredient
of organic broth.
In the UK and other countries, it is incorporated into assorted tissue products, such as toilet paper.
Medicinal
Shea butter is sometimes used as a base for medicinal ointments. Some of the isolated chemical constituents
are reported to have anti-inflammatory, emollient, and humectant properties. Shea butter has been used as
a sun blocking lotion and has a limited capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation.
In Ghana, shea butter, locally known as nkuto (Akan) or nku (Ga), Ka3membo3(Frafra/Grune) is applied as
a lotion to protect the skin during the dry Harmattan season.
In Nigeria, shea butter is used for the management of sinusitis and relief of nasal congestion. It is massaged
into joints and other parts of the body where pain occurs.
The traditional method of preparing unrefined shea butter consists of the following steps:
Separating/cracking: The outer pulp of the fruit is removed. When dry, the nut, which is the source of
shea butter, must be separated from the outer shell. This is a social activity, traditionally done by women
elders and girls who sit on the ground and break the shells with small rocks.
Crushing: To make the shea nuts into butter, they must be crushed. Traditionally, this is done with mortars
and pestles. It requires lifting the pestles and grinding the nuts into the mortars to crush the nuts so they can
be roasted.
Roasting: The crushed nuts are roasted in huge pots over open wood fires. The pots must be stirred
constantly with wooden paddles so the butter does not burn. The butter is heavy and stirring it is hot, smoky
work, done under the sun. This is where the slight smoky smell of traditional shea butter originates.
Grinding: The roasted shea nuts are ground into a smoother paste; water is gradually added and the paste
is mixed well by hand.
Separating the oils: The paste is kneaded by hand in large basins and water is gradually added to help
separate out the butter oils. As they float to the top, the butter oils, which are in a curd state, are removed
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and excess water squeezed out. The butter oil curds are then melted in large open pots over slow fires. A
period of slow boiling will evaporate any remaining water.
Collecting and shape: The shea butter, which is creamy or golden yellow at this point, is ladled from the
top of the pots and put in cool places to harden. Then it is formed into balls.
Industrially, a mechanical sheller such as the universal nut sheller may be used. The refined butter may be
extracted with chemicals such as hexane or by clay filtering.
Although producing shea nuts and butter is one of the most accessible income-generating activities for rural
women in Ghana, their incomes are unstable due to unavailability of ready market, market information,
inadequate business knowledge and low negotiating power. [Which we want to fight and/or strenghten the
women...]
Another product, that can be produced at any time in rural communities is handwoven straw baskets, also
known as “Bolga Baskets” in different sizes and colours. [How and when are they produced? Where does
the Straw come from? E.t.c] A period of four (4) to six (6) days is used to braid an average basket.
The baskets can serve diverse purposes in our day-to-day activities, among these are baskets for shopping,
for flower presentation, as Ladies bags, or to store laundry.
Our women have also been trained to use waste plastic rubber for weaving usable baskets. This innovative
way of managing plastic waste in our society has been of much benefit in recycling plastic waste and
therefore keeping various communities clean as well as serving as a sustainable livelihood.
Prices of the products vary depending on the economic situation, the ordered amount and the shipping
costs.
Nongre Crafts and Culture Foundation survive basically from proceeds derived from the sales of our
products (straw baskets, Shea butter oil and arts/crafts) and from these proceeds it our hope of developing
our community with social infrastructure. Other interventions include:
Healthcare – A sound and healthy society makes way for efficient, effective and productive indigenes.
Proper healthcare structure must be put in place to ensure a strong and healthy society. EWYI-GHANA has
made a part of our initiatives to ensure that the health of our beneficiaries will be of major concern. Plans
include
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enrolling participants in the national health insurance programs to enable them access to healthcare
health sanitation programs
volunteers from foreign medical programs
advocacy health care programs
building of community medical centers
provision of clean accessible water through borehole drilling programs
Education – Illiteracy and ignorance has been a major hindrance and obstacle for the development of rural
people. This is due to the lack of education. Education is the bedrock of success for every society. Planned
measures of NCCF are
supporting talented pupils to undergo diverse specialized program (vocational training programs)
provisions of necessary educational materials to pupils
building rural school infrastructure (i.e library, classroom blocks, ICT centers, volunteer teachers
from foreign countries)
Gender Advocacy –Rural societies in Ghana give subtle rights to women in all aspects of livelihood and
decision-making. The imbalanced rights of both genders in society give upper hand to the male sex. This
trend is affecting society because collective and mutual decision-making pertaining the development and
growth of a community is not possible under the given circumstances. To help curve this trend NCCF will
undertake advocacy programs such as
workshops to enlighten women on their rights in all aspects of life
adult educational programs to help broaden the understanding/knowledge of participants on these
issues
training programs in management to include them in decisions concerning NCCF E.g. drama
shows, local school girls group
Technical improvement – to make products of better quality and more effective, to be reached through
better machines
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training of workers
MANAGERIAL STRATEGY OF OUR PROJECT
NCCF managerial structure is less cumbersome and operate under the functional structure. Activities such
as coordination, supervision and task location, sourcing ready market are the main roles played by the
organisations management (including the women themselves). Other Common functions within our
organization include production, marketing, human resource and accounting. With this type of management
employees are allowed to become specialists within their own realm of expertise.
Therefore, as part of our policy on gender equality as well as giving women the chance to exhibit their
managerial abilities, and for the purpose of transparency and upholding the international policy on fair
trade, the organization makes way for direct involvement of the producers (women/youth) in both internal
and external affairs of all dealings. We have elected members among the women as part of management and
have given managerial training from time to time. Subtle roles are delegated among other women in the
group to enable smooth running and execution of production and administrative affairs of the organization.
Proposed financial management and allocation of revenues arising from the sales of our products has been
drafted, therefore clearly expressing the manner in which our finances shall be managed. Hence, to benefit
all participants and enable NCCF to achieve its major goals:
40% of the revenues shall be deposited into a fund account for developmental purposes such as
education, infrastructure, production equipment and healthcare
20% of proceeds (profits) shall be paid to workers (women)
20% shall be used for the purchase and services of raw materials for production
20% shall be paid to management and staff
This proceeds allocation draft is subjected to changes as time goes with mutual decision by management
and employees.
NCCF has a vibrant young management that is willing to work towards the achievement of its goals, our
task is to careful source interested partners in business to establish a solid partnership enabling the continued
existence in operation(sustainability). Other task includes transparent and proper managerial assistance to
the rural women/youth.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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Over the years, we have attained a number of success that has been a source of motivation to keep working
towards a common goal. Just as the literal sayings “Rome was not build in a day“ every step being taken
yields fruitful feedback.
Women in various communities have been organized into an association known as the NONGRE
Weavers/Shea Butter Producers (under supervision of NCCF). This association gives women more
negotiating power and gives buyers access to larger quantities of products.
Women have been trained to improve upon the traditional way of processing nuts and butter of
better quality and our women are among the best group of weavers in the region
Rural Market Connection (RMC), an order management and fulfilment package, set up by NCCF,
provides the buyer with transparency on historical product data.
Establishing a fund that enable proceeds to be saved or ploughed back to enable scanty financial
sustainability in cooperation with a local based Microfinance firm
NCCF is full time member of Global Shea Alliance (A reputable well organized body whose task is
to manage and support women/youth in shea butter oil production)
OUTLOOK & KEY CHALLENGES
NCCF is an income generating entity and the survival of this project depends highly on funding. Hence, our
only source of funding these initiatives presently, is the selling of our products (straw baskets, Shea butter).
Based on this trading we are hopeful of transforming and creating sustainable livelihood for our women and
youth. Considering the fact that we are in a competition with other association, organization and
individuals’ securing a ready market for our products is a major strategy to the survival of the whole project
and to enable us achieving our goals and mission.
NCCF is optimistic the rapid grow of this whole initiative in the next five (5) years with estimated
membership of over 1,000-2,000 participants, a solid sustainable livelihood, financial independence of rural
participants (women), expansion in operations to our parts of the country, infrastructure improvement.
NCCF is challenged with a number of obstacles to reach its goals. The following are the key challenges
identified:
The local market demand for butter and baskets is currently unstable, we want to get access to a
constant and ready market abroad for our shea butter and baskets.
There is a risk that the Shea butter and baskets prices could be regulated in the near future,
potentially limiting women’s opportunity to achieve higher prices for producing better quality products
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The initiative targets the most remote women for the very reason that they have a lack of access to
market opportunities. In doing this, however, buyers incur a higher cost for picking up products which
weakens the competitive position in addition
We are facing difficulties in rising additional funding to meet our programs.
Women often sell nuts early in the season when prices are low, due to lack of cash flow and a lack
of pre-financing opportunities. As a result, they miss the opportunity to sell at higher prices later in the
season when the nuts have fully dried and the quality is better.
The lack of technological equipment to enable a smooth, fast, serene and conducive processing of
nuts into butter and weaving of baskets.
Kind Regards,
FOUNDERS
Nongre Crafts and Culture Foundation, NCCF. Ghana
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