Fooshegu women trained in shea butter extraction

Fooshegu (NR), Jan. 22, GNA- The Enterprising Women in Development, a Tamale-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), trained 22 women from the Fooshegu and surrounding communities in the Tamale Metropolis, in shea butter extraction to improve the quality of the product for export. The women who were drawn from three shea butter extraction groups in the area, were trained on how to handle shea nuts from the stage of picking the nuts to preservation stage and how to conserve the shea nut tree. The five-day workshop enabled the women to also learn about environmental hygiene, which was necessary in their communities and where shea nuts were picked. Hajia Hajara Telly, Executive Director of the NGO, who trained the women, also in soap making and other uses of the shea butter, advised participants to make good use of resources at their disposal to improve their live styles. She said the shea tree was one of the most resourceful trees in the Northern part of Ghana and urged the woman to conserve it. Hajia Telly observed that poverty was a major challenge facing the women in the Northern part of the country and called on the government, individuals and organisations to help solve the problem. She advised the women to package the shea butter well to attract buyers and to form groups to enhance their work. 22 Jan 08