Baraka Palm Oil

This video is an interview between Baraka founder Wayne Dunn and Avaala Awonnea, General Manager of Benso Oil Palm Plantation — a key partner in Baraka's red palm oil supply chain. Avaala discusses the plantation's operations, its social commitments to surrounding communities, and its environmental stewardship record. The interview gives buyers and formulators direct access to the voice of the supply chain partner behind the ingredient.

Benso Oil Palm Plantation holds certification from the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) — one of the most recognised standards for responsible palm oil sourcing. The plantation's social record includes community contributions in healthcare and education. On the environmental side, more than 90% of its energy needs are met through renewable sources via its Waste to Wealth Programme. More than half of its material inputs come from smallholder farmers and local communities in the region — keeping economic value close to the source.

Every purchase of Baraka Red Palm Oil is sourced through this supply chain. Baraka works with suppliers whose social and environmental commitments are documented and verifiable — not assumed. Complete chain-of-custody documentation is available for any order, and the partnership with Benso represents one of the clearest examples in Baraka's portfolio of a supplier whose accountability is on the record.

Red palm oil is commonly used for dry skin and helps maintain moisture. It is also used as a base ingredient in natural skincare and DIY formulations. You can read more about its properties, sourcing, and applications in the complete guide to Red Palm Oil. For formulators looking at how to work with it in practice, the Red Palm Oil DIY guide and recipe collection covers both the ingredient and its use across a range of formulation types.

Over 90% of the people working with Baraka in Ghana are women. Every purchase supports their ability to work with dignity, earn a fair income, and build futures for their families. To understand the full scope of this work, you can read Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report, which details the cooperative's progress and the supply chain commitments behind every ingredient.

You can also learn more through these related resources: the fair trade story behind Baraka's ingredients, what chain-of-custody means for natural ingredients, and natural ingredient certifications explained.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Avaala Awonnea and what is Benso Oil Palm Plantation?

Avaala Awonnea is the General Manager of Benso Oil Palm Plantation, a key partner in Baraka's red palm oil supply chain. Benso holds RSPO certification — the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil — and has a documented record of social and environmental commitments in the region. In this video, Avaala discusses the plantation's operations, its community contributions in healthcare and education, and its environmental stewardship record with Baraka founder Wayne Dunn.

What sustainability commitments does Benso Oil Palm Plantation have?

Benso Oil Palm Plantation holds RSPO certification for sustainable palm oil. More than 90% of its energy needs are met through renewable sources via its Waste to Wealth Programme. More than half of its material inputs come from smallholder farmers and local communities in the region. The plantation also has a social record that includes contributions to healthcare and education in surrounding communities — commitments that are documented and on the record.

What is RSPO certification?

RSPO stands for the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil — an internationally recognised certification standard for palm oil production. RSPO certification covers environmental practices, labour standards, community relations, and supply chain transparency. Benso Oil Palm Plantation is RSPO certified, which means its practices have been independently assessed against these standards. For buyers sourcing palm oil, RSPO certification is one of the key verifiable signals of responsible sourcing.

Who makes Baraka Red Palm Oil?

Baraka Red Palm Oil is sourced through Benso Oil Palm Plantation, an RSPO-certified supplier in Ghana. Baraka works with suppliers whose social and environmental commitments are documented and verifiable. The partnership with Benso represents one of the clearest examples in Baraka's portfolio of a supply chain partner whose accountability is on the record. Complete chain-of-custody documentation is available for any order.

What is Red Palm Oil used for in natural skincare?

Red Palm Oil is commonly used for dry skin and helps maintain moisture. It is also used as a base ingredient in natural skincare formulations and DIY products. It is rich in carotenoids, which give it its characteristic red colour, and is traditionally used across a range of skincare and hair care applications. It is processed without chemical solvents and is available with complete supply chain documentation from Baraka.

About the Author

Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.