THE PATRONAGE OF SHEA BUTTER AMONG WOMEN IN GHANA

An image of a shea butter

shea butter extracted from the shea nut kernel.

Shea butter is a slightly yellow or ivory colored fatty substance extracted from the Nuts of Shea tree by crushing and boiling. It’s fruit, Shea nut kernel contains almost 50% fat of which, when extracted is called Shea butter. The first account of Shea butter use, date back to 14th century Burkina Faso. The Shea tree grows along the savanna belt that stretches from East to west Africa. Its leading properties and high levels of vitamins have made it the ultimate ingredient for people across west Africa households as a cooking fat, a moisturizing salve for skin, medicine as well as fertilizer for the soil for 700 years and has become a global sensation. Legends has it that, even the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII Philopater (51-30 BC) appreciated the butter for its hydrating power.

Shea butter ready for distribution.

Ghana is the largest exporter of unrefined Shea butter and there are around 94million Shea tree in a country which produces over 60.000 Tonnes of Shea butter from country which is approximately at 66million USD in the Shea butter market. Shea butter grows predominantly in Yanduri, Talensi district in the Northern region.  In addition to this, when you travel down south to places like Accra in the Greater Accra region and the Ashanti region Kumasi, women also trade in the shea butter business.   The Shea butter business in the region which has led to the economic women empowerment because it generates employment and has become an accelerator for economic independence for majority of women.

Many women engaged in the shea butter business.

 Gender is increasingly on the agenda in international development goals. Goal five of the United Nations 2015 sustainable Development Goals is to Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls (UN 2018). Again, on the development agenda is agriculture.  With that being said, women are the main agents of change in society and if they are empowered, they can directly contribute to addressing the challenges of poverty, inequality and food insecurity. With the demand for natural and organic products rising in the western world, Shea butter has become a hot commodity. The Shea industry is dominated by women, and this serves as a source of income for many families in Ghana. For example, a foundation named titianka Boressa  for the last three years has provided cooking pots and training for Shea farmers most especially women in the Talensi district.

Women from the Talensi district in the Northern region who participate in the Titianka Boressa women empowerment foundation.

Speaking to some traders who sell these Shea butter in Accra, these were some of the comments shared.

 According to Maame Afriyie who is trader at Makola market ‘honestly speaking, this business is not lucrative. If you do not have patience, you can't do it.  sales do not go fast,’ I have been in this business for five years after I relocated from Saval uGu to stay with my friend in Accra. It is through this business that my fist child has completed SHS.  she said.

 However, another trader Aunty Alberta mentioned that ‘I used to make 50 to 100 cedis a day, but since the beginning of this year, I make less than 50 cedis. I don’t blame the economy, but I have observed the severity of harmattan season declining over this year which has affected my sales”.

 While the traders are complaining of the reduction of sales in the business some buyers also testify of its authenticity.

Ama Serwaa, a student from the university of Ghana said, ‘I have used raw Shea butter all my life. However, people advised me to switch to processed Shea butter but refused and that has really helped me.

 Abigial Asomdwie Boakye also said, “my son developed a skin condition that reddened his shin, and I became very worried. My husband and I tried all creams recommended from the pharmacist but to no avail until one day my mother-in-law suggested I use raw Shea butter and after applying it on the spot for barely a month, the blisters and rendering disappeared. As I speak my neighbors has been asking what made the magic and to the extent of asking for the sample of that products. Therefore, I have decided to add value to it and make it a business”.

 However, Esther Okyere’s case is different. Anytime she uses shea butter pimples break out on her face.

The labor market in Ghana is generally unsatisfactory however many women have now turned to shea butter as a means of employment to support their families and secure the future of generations.

 

Report by Portia Sarpong

 all images were sourced from the internet.