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2025 IWD Project Highlight: Capacity Building Training on Shea Butter Production for Economic Independence

  • Writer: WC4E
    WC4E
  • May 9
  • 2 min read

By Portia Dumba

Women Changemakers for Education supported Porducare Enterprise in a three-day shea butter production training in Gindabor, empowering over 60 women with hands-on skills in processing, packaging, and cooperative business development. The initiative promoted economic independence and gender equity by turning a traditional craft into a sustainable livelihood opportunity.
Women Changemakers for Education supported Porducare Enterprise in a three-day shea butter production training in Gindabor, empowering over 60 women with hands-on skills in processing, packaging, and cooperative business development. The initiative promoted economic independence and gender equity by turning a traditional craft into a sustainable livelihood opportunity.

Women Changemakers for Education supported Porducare Enterprise and Gindabo FGCYDC's partnership to deliver a transformative three-day training in shea butter production. The initiative was held in Gindabor in the Savannah Region, empowered over 60 women with practical skills in processing, packaging, and marketing shea butter which is one of Ghana’s most valuable natural resources.


This project showed that with the right tools and training, women in rural communities can create products that compete on the market—while gaining confidence, community support, and financial autonomy. It aligned powerfully with the #AcceleratingAction theme of IWD 2025, advancing not just gender equity, but sustainable economic change.


Hands-On Learning

The training sessions focused on:

  • Advanced production techniques from shea nut grinding to final product refinement

  • Value addition through packaging and branding to increase product appeal

  • Cooperative formation for stronger market negotiation power


 A Glimpse into the 3-Day Program

Participants were divided into practical groups, allowing for active learning and collaboration throughout.

  • Day 1: Team building, grinding in a neighboring community, frying demonstrations

  • Day 2: Paste preparation and oil extraction techniques

  • Day 3: Product packaging, branding education, and a vibrant cultural closing ceremony


 Outcomes 

  • Over 60 women now trained in shea butter processing

  • New interest in forming cooperatives to strengthen market access

  • Women gained skills to produce market-grade, high-quality products

  • Community-wide conversations sparked about investing in local processing infrastructure


“We didn’t just learn to make shea butter—we learned to create value, work as a team, and aim higher.”— Participant


Challenges & Next Steps

While the training was successful, the team faced several challenges:

  • Lack of a nut-crushing machine forced travel to nearby towns

  • Limited training resources and food due to high turnout and budget constraints


Plans are therefore underway to:

  • Fund a community nut-crushing machine

  • Mobilize more training materials for future cohorts

  • Build a local shea processing center to expand access and reduce barriers




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