Locations: 

Bagurugu, Yemo Karaga, and Yoggu-Northern Ghana

Challenge:  

In the rural communities of Northern Ghana, including Bagurugu, Yemo Karaga, and Yoggu, WSLi Ghana is addressing the challenges of rural-urban migration and environmental degradation. The root causes include limited economic opportunities in rural areas, particularly for women shea nut producers, and practices like indiscriminate bush burning. These issues are affecting local economies, contributing to migration to urban centers, and damaging the environment.

Solution:

WSLi Ghana has implemented a holistic approach to sustainable development that combines agribusiness expertise with accessible financial services. Central to this strategy is the integration of expert farming guidance and strategic commodity trading. WSLi Ghana provides women shea nut producers with targeted input support, best practice training to enhance the quality and yields of shea nuts, and direct access to reliable markets, ensuring fair prices and consistent demand. Additionally, the initiative offers Agribusiness Financing solutions, including micro-credits up to 5,000 cedis, which allow smallholder farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs to invest in improved practices and expand their businesses. The organization also ensures fairness and transparency through Outgrower MOUs, fostering trust in all transactions.

Outcome:

The success of WSLi Ghana’s initiatives has been transformative. There has been a notable reduction in rural-urban migration as community members find sustainable livelihoods within their local economies. The shea nut producers are now able to compete effectively in the market, boosting individual incomes and contributing to the sustainable management of shea nut resources. Furthermore, the promotion of sustainable farming practices has helped mitigate the need for harmful practices like indiscriminate bush burning, contributing to environmental preservation. Through agribusiness support and financial inclusion, WSLi Ghana is fostering prosperity and resilience in rural communities, where economic growth and environmental sustainability are now more closely aligned.