Pure Trust Social Investors as the focal project implementing partner of Shea Network Ghana (SNG) for the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Project in Shea (GESI-Shea Project) in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region has presented certificates of group Allocation of Shea Parklands to Movement of Shea Collectors (MoSC) in the District on  28th April, 2020.

This follows the successful implementation of the advocacy project titled; “Increasing Marginalized Women Right to Access and Control Shea Parklands to Guarantee Long-term Investment” with the 30 months project led by the Shea Network Ghana (SNG) and funded by Star-Ghana Foundation with funding from DANIDA, UK Aid and European Union.

Pure Trust Social Investors is a Non Governmental Organisation based in Tamale the Northern Regional capital with Kassena-Nankana East, East Mamprusi and North Gonja District as its operational areas.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pure Trust Social Investors Mr. Habib Haruna at the presentation ceremony thanked the Paramount Chief of the Wasipe Traditional Area of Gonja Wasipewura Anyame Kabasagya and his sub-chiefs for the allocation of 80 acres of Shea parklands to the women groups.

He also disclosed that, plans are underway to incorporate bee farming to help pollinate the Shea tree and to also get an investor to setup a Shea nut processing factory in the North Gonja District for Movement of Shea Collectors (MoSC) groups to feed the factory with raw materials from the Shea Parklands.

Mr Shaibu Mumuni Kisco a representative from the Wasipewura’s Palace was grateful to the CEO of Pure Trust Social Investors, Star-Ghana Foundation, DANIDA, UK-Aid and European Union for coming to the aid of the women groups in the area.

He also reiterated the fact that wood logging is rampant in the Wasipe Traditional Area and to protect the Shea tree the traditional area with collaborate with the North Gonja District Assembly to setup by-laws in order to protect the Shea tree and other economical trees.

Chief Gabagsiwura J.J. commended Pure Trust Social  Investors, Shea Network Ghana (SNG) Star Ghana Foundation, DANIDA, UK-Aid and the  European Union as he has been part of the activities to see to it the project is implemented successfully in the North Gonja District.

Madam Fatima Seidu, Chairperson for the Suglu-Buribun Women and Madam Nimah Amidu, Chairperson for Norbekim Women group were also full of joy and praise the support from the CEO of Pure Trust Social Investors Mr. Habib Haruna, Star- Ghana Foundation DANIDA, UK-Aid, the European Union and Wasipe Traditional Area for the donor support and allocation of Shea Tree Parklands.

The District Coordinating Director for North District, Mr Alidu A. Abukari who was the Chairman for the occasion was grateful to Pure Trust Social Investors and its developing partners for coming into the District and promised that the Assembly will do all that they can to support and protect the Shea tree and the environment as whole with by-laws.

A Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed signed between the Women Group Representatives and Chiefs from five Communities in the North Gonja District namely Daboya, Lingbinsi, Kuputo, Kagbal and Tidrope. This was after the a total of 15 acre Shea Parkland has been created through the advocacy activity of the Women groups in the project Communities.

In compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols a maximum number of 12 people participated in the programme.

Source: nkilgifmonline.com/ Musah Asafo Mahama