Vodafone Ghana Foundation has donated GHC20,000 to support women in shea butter business in the Upper East Region. The Foundation made the donation through AfriKids Ghana, a child rights NGO dedicated to helping the most vulnerable children in northern Ghana. AfriKids would use the money to assist the women to sustain the support they give to their children. A statement from Vodafone Ghana saya the donation has given the women the ability to further invest in equipment, which will fully mechanise their shea butter production, increasing not only the quantity but the quality of shea butter they produce. Director of External Affairs at Vodafone Ghana, Patrick Boatengwas quoted as saying the Foundation believes women are the bedrock of our society and their prosperity will reflect in the welfare of their children and will ultimately lead to the social and economic development of our society. “These women have shown a determination to grow their businesses so that they can to take care of their children and get them a good education - the Foundation is proud to be able to give them that opportunity,” he said. He said women in the Sirigu community are responsible for paying for the education of their children, and the success of their business has a direct correlation to the welfare of their children. Mr. Boateng said the donation has also contributed to the growth of the cottage industry in the Upper East region. Nicholas Kumah is Director of AfriKids Ghana, and he said the donation comes at a time when there are calls for investment into the cottage industries, of which shea butter is one. “We are truly grateful for the contribution the Foundation has made to the lives of these women and to the economic growth of the Northern Ghana,” he said. The Foundation also trained the women in the use and maintenance of the equipment, giving them full control of all aspects of their business. The new, improved business can now add value to the shea butter market by producing pomades and soaps. AfriKids is working with the the women to solicit orders from the international market where the demand for shea butter products is greatest; they have so far had a successful partnership with Shea Mooti, a company in the UK.