The Ghana Specialty Fats Industries Ltd, in collaboration with Borimakoso Enterprise, has presented some items to about 41 female sheanut pickers in Janikura and junction communities in the Central Gonja district. The presentation was part of this year’s farmer’s day celebration. The items included plastic containers, boots, cutlasses and hand gloves. The gesture, which is done every year, was in recognition of sheanut pickers and their contribution to the industry. Farmer’s day is celebrated every first Friday of December in honour of the hard work and contribution of farmers to the country’s economy.
Addressing the women at the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of Borimakoso Enterprise, Alhaji Imoro Alhassan said the presentation of the items was to aid and protect sheanut pickers against bad creatures in the bush. He urged husbands of the women to assist their wives to pick more sheanuts for their benefit. Alhaji Imoro advised community members to stop bush burning in order to get quality nuts. The shea tress, he noted, are the northern cocoa and must be protected. He further advised the youth to venture into the activity rather than migrate to the southern sector in search for greener pastures which do not exist.
Some women Zaa News interacted with said the items will go a long way to aid them in their work, but appealed to the industry to provide them with drying materials to be able to dry the nuts with ease.
Ghana Specialty fats is part of wilmar Africa Ltd, which is a part of the wilmar international group. Wilmar international limited, founded in 1991, with headquarters in Singapore, is today, Asia’s leading agribusiness group. Wilmar is ranked amongst the largest listed companies by markets capitalization on the Singapore exchange.
Its business activities include oil palm cultivation, oilseeds crushing, edible oils refining, sugar milling and refining, specialty fats, biodiesel and fertilizer manufacturing and grains processing. The shea operation in Ghana has been in operation for close to 7 years, servicing both the local and international clientele. Its mission is to be the preferred choice of supplies within Africa, whilst contributing to the development of the African continent.
BY: LILIAN W. DABORIKUU