Promoting biodiversity and climate-friendly economic opportunity that creates decent jobs
Sustainable Shea Production Training for Women Groups from Communities around the Mole National Park Landscape
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Shea nut processing, which is an economic venture of the communities provides means of alternative livelihood within the catchment of the park. This activity has the propensity to minimize or prevent the continuous encroachment by fringe communities into the Mole National Park (MNP) with the objective of sustaining biodiversity in the Park. Reconnaissance visits were made to surrounding communities of the Park to identify women groups engaged in commercial shea nut picking and processing. Eventually, ten women groups were identified and engaged to establish contacts for preparation for the ensuing training.
A training company (Yusmum 2011 Enterprise) was engaged to prepare a training module and conduct training for women on quality shea nut picking, processing and marketing. Aside the training, safety kits and other items were procured and donated to the participants. The items include 105 shea nut picking equipment (Shea Roller), 100 pairs of wellington boots, 100 pairs of hand gloves, 105 cutlasses and silver basins for the beneficiaries.
Training of women groups from six (6) communities within the Mole Ecological landscape on the quality standards for shea production.
A two- day training session took place in the West Gonja Municipal and the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region with the participation of one hundred (100) women in ten (10) groups from six (6) communities (Murugu, Yazori, Kaden, Kpulumbo, Bawena and Konkori). The training employed a face-to-face communication method which sought to enhance participation. Participants were divided into smaller groups of four (4) during the plenary session. Each member of the group made a presentation using the picture teaching aid (picture box) developed by the trainer.
The training is expected to improve their capacity in commercial shea nut gathering, processing and marketing in the area as well as promoting sustainable and less energy demanding ways of harnessing shea resources for enhanced livelihood. The knowledge and skills acquired during the training, incomes of the women are expected to increase about 10% annually.
A group photograph of a section of the participants after the donation of the items and training workshop.
