Yirkasa Social Enterprise hosts local food fair to empower women

Yirkasa Social Enterprise, a women-led Ghanaian organization based in Nandom, in the Upper West Region, organized a local food fair to celebrate the end of 2024. Women from Piiri, Monyupele, and Tom participated in the event, which showcased local and organic food products. According to Madam Lilian Paaga, the initiative aims to mobilize resources to support women engaged in agroecology and local food processing, including dawadawa and shea butter production.

Addressing environmental challenges through sustainable practices
Yirkasa’s mission includes combating the harmful effects of mono-cropping and deforestation, which degrade the environment and impoverish local communities. The enterprise promotes sustainable practices by developing organic food value chains and adding value to local agroecological products. “We focus on cultivating, processing, and packaging organic products to serve local and broader market needs while prioritizing human and environmental health,” Madam Paaga explained.

Building skills and infrastructure
As part of its efforts, Yirkasa has trained women in hygienic food processing, packaging, and marketing skills. Plans are underway to establish a crushing, processing, and packaging center in Piiri to enhance production and improve market access. Yirkasa also aims to facilitate business registration, secure funding, and help women export their products in the future.

Protecting the environment
The initiative emphasizes the importance of preserving valuable tree species, such as shea, to discourage deforestation and promote environmental conservation. By placing value on local resources, Yirkasa seeks to create alternative income sources while protecting the region’s ecology.

Local food fair highlights organic delicacies
The event featured a vibrant local food fair, where women prepared traditional dishes and drinks, including “Tuo Zaafi,” “Tubaani,” and Pito, using local crops. The fair celebrated the richness of Ghanaian cuisine while highlighting the potential of organic food production.

Empowering women through economic opportunities
Participants shared how Yirkasa’s programs have positively impacted their lives. Madam Yeltuobesaane Bunubie expressed gratitude, stating, “I process shea fruits into shea butter for sale and earn income to support my family.” Similarly, Madam Judith Ziem shared, “I’ve learned to make dawadawa, which helps me eat healthily and earn money by selling it in the market.”

Yirkasa Social Enterprise continues to champion women’s empowerment and sustainable agriculture, fostering healthier communities and stronger local economies.

Mohammed ABDULAI – Nandom-Piiri, Upper West Region.