Safura Abdulai smiles as she poses for a photo.

Photo: Nana Kofi Acquah / Oxfam

Impact stories

Safura's story

Meet Safura, shea butter business owner in Bunglung, Ghana.

For years, Safura gathered under neem trees each morning with her women's cooperative, roasting and churning shea nuts into butter for a UK brand.

But orders only came once a month - and in between, the women waited anxiously.

A headshot of Safura, a small business owner from Bunglung, Ghana.
“

The burden of providing for the children was heavy on my husband, and I felt helpless."-”

Safura
Safura, a smiling women in traditional Ghanan dress, holds up examples of the Shea Butter products she makes as part of her business.

Photo: Nana Kofi Acquah / Oxfam

“I realised I could begin with what I already had."

Everything changed when the Women’s Economic Advancement for Collective Transformation (WEACT) arrived in her town, bringing entrepreneurial training and mentorship.

Safura learned she didn't need much money to start. The training encouraged her to start packaging shea butter into small, affordable containers for her local community, and revive her soap-making skills. Soon, demand skyrocketed.

Safura and Ainabu laugh while milling shea nuts at the Bunglung Suglo Mali Nyori Cooperative Shea Butter Producers centre in Bunglung, Northern Region of Ghana.

Photo: Nana Kofi Acquah / Oxfam

A booming business

These new products tripled Safura’s income. The project also provided equipment and a tricycle to transport her goods, saving hours of labour.

Now, meals are easier to afford, school fees are paid on time, and there's a newfound sense of partnership between Safura and her husband.

Safura smiles as she tips a basket of shea nuts into a processing machine.

Photo: Nana Kofi Acquah / Oxfam

The Power of Knowledge

Today, Safura dreams of expanding her business - and mentoring other women in her town so they can find their independence: “To the WEACT project, I say thank you. You have given us tools, knowledge, and confidence. We will use them well not just for ourselves, but to help other women rise too.”

Because of support like projects like WEACT, women like Safura are finding their footing and bringing others with them. Would you help her voice travel further?