SOCODEVI, with funding from the government of Canada, is implementing the TogetHER project (an initiative to support women and cocoa communities) in the Ashanti and Western North regions of Ghana. One of the selected communities for delivering the project is Krachiekrom, a cocoa-growing community in the Atwima Mponua district of Ghana’s Ashanti region.
During a recent initial visit to Krachiekrom to introduce the project and seek the support of the community and cooperatives, the SOCODEVI team met with the Onuado group.
The Onuado group is a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) made up of 29 members who meet weekly to save together and to also take small loans from their savings for their individual needs. The VSLA is a proven and widespread model for economic empowerment and financial autonomy for many, especially in rural areas.
Cocoa production is the major source of livelihood for the community’s inhabitants. During the cocoa lean season, there are limited sources of income. Many youth and women looking into making income quick engage in small-scale unregulated gold mining in the nearby towns. This is often unsustainable, can pose a danger to the individuals involved and can lead to environmental destruction.
Some of the women from the Onuado group have started a small-scale snail farming business in the community, a venture that could potentially earn them income all year round. Snails are a major source of protein and a delicacy for many in Ghana. There is high demand for them for domestic food preparation and for food vending businesses. Snails may be used fresh or can be roasted, fried, or dried to preserve them for storage and distribution to other areas.
The Onuado group were enthused to learn about all the activities of the TogetHER project. They were particularly excited about the opportunity to improve their skills and expand their snail-rearing business through the project’s food startup and expansion opportunities.
They expressed their commitment to participating fully in the program and expect to gain knowledge that will enable them to expand their snail-production business. SOCODEVI, through the TogetHER project, will also train and/or strengthen 100 VSLAs in the communities served by the project.
SOCODEVI expects young people and women to improve their living conditions through this VSLA activity.
A text by Benedicta Hanyabui, Administrative Assistant & Communication officer for the TogetHER project in Ghana