Yirkasa Social Enterprise, a women-led initiative in Nandom, Upper West Region of Ghana, has collaborated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) D-Lab to support local women engaged in agroecology and sustainable food processing. The partnership marks a significant step in creating economic opportunities and combating environmental challenges in the region.
At the end-of-year local food fair organized by Yirkasa, women from Piiri, Monyupele, and Tom showcased their expertise in producing organic and traditional products like dawadawa and shea butter. Yirkasa’s mission focuses on providing alternative income sources for women while promoting organic farming methods that preserve local vegetation and biodiversity.
Madam Lilian Paaga, a key figure at Yirkasa, emphasized the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. “Unhealthy methods like mono-cropping and cutting down essential trees have devastated our ecology. Our goal is to feed communities with local, organic products and empower women economically,” she stated.
The partnership with MIT D-Lab, a program renowned for its emphasis on co-design and community-driven solutions, aims to enhance the capacity of local women. Caroline Morris, the trip leader of a group of six female MIT students, shared insights into their work in Nandom. “This is our first trip here, and we’ve focused on understanding the manual labour involved in shea nut processing. Using our engineering skills, we’ve developed a prototype machine to reduce labour intensity and train women to operate and maintain it.”
The prototype machine, designed to process grains like corn, dawadawa, and shea nuts, is expected to evolve into a larger, solar-powered mill stationed at the Yirkasa Women’s Center. Morris highlighted the long-term vision: “We want these machines to be accessible, renewable, and affordable, reducing reliance on electricity and enhancing sustainability.”
Christian Lee, a fourth-year student from New Jersey, emphasized the holistic approach of the collaboration. “It’s not just about the machine; it’s about empowering women financially, emotionally, and physically. We’re learning from their culture while helping them grow their businesses.”
Ms. Freda Aagyereyir Pigru, Yirkasa’s coordinator, expressed optimism about the partnership. “Our collaboration with MIT D-Lab aims to create long-term solutions for our women. By valuing local resources and reducing rural-urban migration, we are fighting climate change and building resilience in our communities.”
This partnership symbolizes a shared commitment to sustainable development and women’s empowerment, with future plans including biannual student visits to co-develop innovative solutions tailored to the community’s needs.
