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Learn about the cocoa bean story, how they are grown and harvested and the women and communities who do the work and earn their livelihood from it. The collection and processing of cocoa beans for Baraka Cocoa Butter is done by smallholder growers in remote villages in Ghana. Watch and listen as we discuss the process as we stand amongst… [read more]
Whipping the Shea
Whipping Shea Butter (not the whipping you think!) Your shea needs to be whipped like this before you can make your lovely whipped body butters and other products Whipping (or churning) Shea Butter is a key step in making it. And it is hard work. After the Shea Nuts (Seeds) are crushed, roasted and then ground to release the oils… [read more]
Driving the Streets of Wa
Come with us as we drive through Wa, the Capital of Ghana’s Upper West Region Many have asked for more information about the communities so come along as we drive across Wa and hear Alfred Akolgo describe what we are seeing and passing through #KnowAboutShea – a series of informational posts about shea butter and the women, families… [read more]
Making a Mortar and Pestle
An elder hand-making a pestle for use in a large mortar and pestle. A lot of work. Amazing craftsmanship passed down through generations. A mortar and pestle is used extensively in cooking and processing in Shea Forest communities. In fact, the traditional way to make shea butter involved crushing the seeds in a large mortar and pestle and then grinding… [read more]
How Hand-Crafted Shea Butter is Made
Making Shea Butter – from fruit to butter Watch, listen and learn how Baraka Shea Butter is made. This video takes you through the entire process, starting in the wild shea forest and finishing with beautiful, hand-crafted shea butter. Learn about the steps in the process and all the hard work that goes into making shea butter. #KnowAboutShea – a… [read more]
Baraka Palm Oil – Interview with Benso General Manager
Baraka Palm Oil – Interview with Avaala Awonnea Interview with one of Baraka’s Palm Oil partners. Avaala Awonnea, General Manager of Benso Oil Palm Plantation, a key partner in Baraka’s Palm Oil Supply Chain. He discusses the company’s operation and commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship with Baraka founder Wayne Dunn Benso, is certified by the Round Table on… [read more]
Asungtaaba Basket Group Sharing Fund
Women self-organize into work and support groups at the community level throughout northern Ghana and, indeed, in many other areas of the world. These groups fulfill important social, economic and community functions and have evolved a way or working, organizing and collaborating over generations. Unfortunately, they are too often ‘improved’ by well-meaning outsiders and formal structures and procedures put in… [read more]
Steps in making Baraka Bolga Baskets
Traditional, handwoven Baraka Bolga Baskets are made with skills and techniques passed down through generations. Mothers and Aunts teach daughters and then they weave and work together. In this video, Ahmed, the local coordinator, describes some of the steps as the women are weaving. They are working as they normally do, in a group under a shade tree in the… [read more]
Alamgubbe Group Weaving Baskets
Hand weaving Baraka Bolga Baskets is hard, meticulous and demanding work. The women gather together, often under a tree for shade from the searing heat on the edge of the Sahara
[watch video]
Asongo Basket Group Welcome Dance
Meetings, activities and events are traditionally opened with song and dance. It injects energy into whatever is happening and helps get everyone in a joyous and open mind and space.
[watch video]
Field Interview on Sustainable Coconut Farm Management
Live from the Field interview with Kojo Nunoo and the Field Operations Manager for Baraka’s partner, Ava Virgin Coconut Oil.
[watch video]
Coconut plantations, inter-cropping and food security
An interview with the founder of Baraka’s partner, Ava Virgin Coconut Oil discussing intercropping and its contribution to sustainability and food security
[watch video]
Coconut Sustainability: waste to organic planting pots
Baraka and its partner Ava Virgin Coconut take great care to bring as much sustainability, as little waste and as much impact as possible to their work. This video shows how the traditional coconut industry leaves piles of husks in the growing area, taking land away from food, making an eyesore and providing a breeding ground for snakes.
[watch video]
From the Shea Forest: Alfred Akolgo Interview
Live from the Shea Forest interview with Alfred Akolgo, Baraka’s Country Manager. He discusses his work with Baraka, the communities and women Baraka works with and some of his personal and career life.
[watch video]
Tabiasi Women’s Enterprise Centre
A live walkthrough of the Tabiasu Women’s Enterprise Centre with Alfred Akolgo, Baraka’s Country Manager. You can see the women using the facility for the preparation of Shea Nuts (seeds) as we discuss the centre, why we built it, how it will be used and the impact it is already having.
[watch video]
From the Shea Forest: Picking Shea nuts (seeds)
Shot live in the Shea Forest you can see how the women gather the fallen shea fruit and nuts, the first step in making Baraka Shea Butter. See the women in action, watch the young boys climbing shea trees and shaking the fruit off so the women can pick it.
[watch video]
From the Shea Forest – Lilian Mwintoma Interview
Live from the Shea Forest interview with Lilian Mwintoma, Baraka’s Quality Office and Women’s Development Liaison. Lilian discusses her work with Baraka, the communities and women Baraka works with and some of her personal and career life.
[watch video]
Baraka Bolga Baskets in the community
Baraka Bolga Baskets are hand-woven by women’s groups in Ghana’s Upper East region In this video Baraka’s Country Manager, Alfred Akolgo, meets with some of the hard-working women to discuss basket making, life
[watch video]
Baraka TV: Kperisi Naa (Chief) Interview
Kperisi Chief, Naa Alhassan Sidiki Bomsi III initially invited Wayne and Baraka to the community to work with the local women’s group to help them develop additional and alternative income generation opportunities. Wayne engage “Aunty” Amina and the relationship that evolved into Baraka Shea Butter began.
[watch video]
Baraka TV: Alfred Interview
Alfred Akolgo has led Baraka’s Ghana operations since about 2015, working with “Aunty” Amina and recently Mwintoma Lilian as they worked with hard-working women in Ghana’s Upper West Region to produce, package and export Baraka Shea Butter.
[watch video]
From Our Hands: The Baraka Shea Butter Song and Dance
The joy of hand-crafting @Baraka Shea Butter is celebrated in this video as the hard-working women who make it have just created a new song and dance to celebrate their joy. The joy and their celebration are the direct
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Shea Tree Regeneration and Conservation
Shea Trees grow wild and regenerate naturally. I’m often asked about how many seeds are left behind to regenerate and grow. Most of them are. Research estimate suggest that at least 85% of the Shea Seeds that fall from Shea Trees are unpicked and available to germinate.
[watch video]
Community Certified Fair Trade Interview
Watch an interview with Zenabu Imoru, a leader of the Kperisi women’s group and the community Chief where they discuss their working relationship with Baraka Shea Butter and the Community Certified Fair-Trade certification they provided. Sub-titled in English.
[watch video]
