30 women in Northern Ghana will gain essential business management and entrepreneurial skills, accessing savings and credit through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). This initiative aims to empower them to expand their businesses and enhance their financial stability.

Local Solution
Song-Ba Empowerment Centre (Song-Ba) is actively addressing poverty among women and promoting economic development in the Yong community within the Tamale Metropolis of Northern Ghana. This region faces a high poverty rate, with many residents living on less than $2 a day. Women here encounter significant barriers to achieving financial independence.

The project targets early-stage shea butter women entrepreneurs aged 20 to 45. Many of these women have limited formal education, often having completed only primary or secondary school. It is vital to empower them by providing access to essential financial services and skills training to improve their livelihoods. Currently, they whip shea butter manually, which is a health hazard and time-consuming, limiting their production and income. They also lack the business acumen to sell larger volumes and maximize profits, and have sought support from Song-Ba to address these challenges.

Over the course of one year, the women will receive business and entrepreneurial training, as well as financial literacy education from the Ghana Enterprise Agency and the Business Advisory Centre in Tamale. They will be provided with a shea butter whipping machine to improve their production efficiency, along with shea fruit, packaging materials, and labels. Additionally, Song-Ba will support them in obtaining certification to enable legal sale in commercial outlets.

For long-term sustainability, participants will be guided in establishing VSLAs. They will undergo a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as leadership and elections for VSLA leaders, social fund management, savings and credit policies, VSLA constitution development, first savings meeting, initial loan disbursement, loan repayment, and cycle share-out. This training will enable them to access three key financial services: savings, credit, and insurance, based on their group’s constitution and policies.

Song-Ba Empowerment Centre has a proven track record of improving livelihoods among women and girls in Northern Ghana. Recently, it has trained 10 girls in smock weaving and supported 60 young women through group-saving programs.

Lives Improved
The 30 participants will acquire business and financial skills to operate sustainable shea butter enterprises. They will also learn about VSLA methods, enabling them to save and access credit without collateral. This financial flexibility will help them start or grow their businesses, paving the way toward economic independence.

As their incomes increase, household food security will improve, allowing them to afford more nutritious options and ensuring stability for approximately 120 family members.

Community Impact
The economic empowerment of these women will transform their lives and generate positive ripple effects throughout their communities, strengthening family units and benefiting future generations. Moreover, the project will challenge traditional societal norms regarding women’s financial decision-making. By participating in VSLAs and gaining financial literacy, women will question and reshape gender roles that typically limit women’s economic authority. This shift will foster mutual understanding of the value of women’s contributions and position them as role models for others. Ultimately, the project aims to create sustainable local economic opportunities, contributing to overall community stability.

Budget
The total budget for the Save for the Future project is GHS 157,053 (or €10,523). Donations will be allocated as follows:

●      Procuring 2,300 kg of shea butter, packaging materials, and certification costs

●      Purchasing VSLA materials, such as record books and boxes

●      Facilitating training sessions in financial literacy, business management, and VSLA setup

●      Covering administrative expenses related to project implementation

●      Allocating 5% to IMPACT for website development, promotion, proposal writing, financial services, and NGO support

Own Contribution: Song-Ba Empowerment Centre will provide the training venue and facilitate all necessary training sessions for the beneficiaries. We will also oversee the activities of the VSLAs to ensure compliance with operational rules and sustainability.

Testimonial
Fadila is a remarkable example of the impact of this project. At just 17 years old, she escaped an early marriage and discovered her passion for producing hand-woven fabrics with support from the Song-Ba Empowerment Centre. Today, she proudly maintains her own bank account, demonstrating how this project transforms lives and empowers women within her community.