ONE Ghana/Nigeria Trip

ONE in Ghana: Development and Pineapples

Mar 5th, 2009 12:39 PM UTC
By Chandler.Smith

As we wrote about yesterday, some ONE staff are currently traveling through Ghana and Nigeria to see firsthand some of the extreme poverty and development issues currently taking place in Africa. Today Chandler Smith brings us this account about the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Click here to read more about this ongoing series on the ONE Blog.

Working in the development community, I’ve heard a lot about the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). I’ve heard about how it’s a “different kind of program” and how it works with other countries to make sure that U.S funds are used for projects that are country-owned and will be sustainable in the future.

Today, I saw a lot of that talk put to action. We drove east of Accra on Highway 1–the most visible MCC project in Ghana. Basically, the MCC is a U.S. government mechanism that provides large-scale, long-term funding for developing countries who have met a specific set of indicators reflecting good governance, economic investment, and investment in people. Once selected for MCC funding, for example, Ghana had to develop a compact proposal explaining the initiatives they would like funded, and agreeing to transparency and careful accounting during implementation of the projects. The U.S. not only provides the funds for the projects – like the highway – but the MCC helps Ghana establish an on-the-ground group to manage the projects. Compacts run for five years – making funding predictable and allowing longer-term projects – like highway building – to take place.

Highway 1 feeds from the rural areas into Accra and is the major transportation artery in the country. When it is finished, its six-lanes will enable workers to commute to Accra and goods to be transported to the airport for export in a timely manner.

We travelled on Highway 1 to a farm where as many as 50 farmers have been trained by the Millennium Development Authority – the local group that helps implement all of the MCC projects in Ghana. The farmers have learned how to and improve their access to seed and fertilizer, and received other vital training. There, the farmers told us a little bit about how this training has improved production on the farm. For more on that, check out this video:

The highlight of today’s visit was without a doubt the Jei River pineapple farm. Jei River was started with funding from the MCC. With this start-up money, the farm has grown to be one of the largest in Ghana and specializes in four different types of pineapple. My favorite kind was the Sugar Loaf pineapple. It is white both on the inside and outside, and is very sweet (just as the name suggests). This farm was an example of how a small loan and proper training can become a sustainable farm with as many as 400 workers.

These are just a few of the places we visited today, and each time we arrive somewhere new, I am struck by the resourcefulness and diligence of each individual. I’ve also learned how important it is that we listen to people on the ground to make sure that whatever the United States does to provide aid ensures sustainability for the future. The Millennium Challenge Corporation appears to be a pretty good start.

-Chandler Smith

ONE in Ghana: At the West African Trade Hub

Mar 5th, 2009 11:05 AM UTC
By Jennifer Hoerl

Continuing correspondence from ONE staff currently traveling through Ghana and Nigeria to see firsthand some of the extreme poverty and development issues currently taking place in Africa. Today Jennifer Hoerl talks about the West African Trade Hub. Click here to read more about this ongoing series on the ONE Blog.

The West African Trade Hub (WATH) works with West African business owners to export their products internationally, acting as an honest broker between the region and global markets in six sectors – cashews, fish/seafood, shea butter, apparel, home décor, and furniture. The WATH is one of four trade hubs created by the African Global Competitiveness Initiative (AGCI) to assist African producers in navigating the U.S. business arena including understanding U.S. customs laws, finding buyers, and getting assistance with pricing and marketing. The trade-hubs cost little to operate and since 2005 have generated an additional $60 million in exports to the U.S.

Today we met with Vanessa Adams and Elitza Barzakova of WATH, and they showed us two businesses in Accra that were benefiting from the relationship they have with WATH.

Tekura Home Furnishes

Tekura is run by Kweku and Josephine, a husband and wife team that produce incredible wood products, such as masks, tables, and bowls. With the assistance of WATH, Tekura is able to sell its beautiful items to such companies as Target, TJ Maxx, and Pier One. Depending on the order sizes, they employ anywhere from 30 to 100 employees – carvers, sanders, and painters from the local area. Josephine told us that they are truly “a success story, but it wasn’t easy.” Businesses like this have many problems getting started with little or no collateral, difficulty dealing with banks, finding buyers, product development, and maneuvering through the rules associated with export.

Kente Cloth Weavers

Kente is an Accra business run by Bob Dennis and his brothers. Their Kente clothes are Ghana specific, although the thread is both bought in Ghana, and imported from India, China, and Europe. Using such thread as cotton, rayon, silk and the newly added tencil, Bob and his employees create absolutely beautiful fabrics. Their skills at weaving are seen in the intricate details of their place mats, table runners, and blankets. They once produced 50 bedcovers for an Australian company which took them about 1 year. They started their business in 1999 in their basement, and today they employ about 21 weavers, which demonstrates their personal determination and entrepreneurship that were able to come to fruition with some assistance from WATH.

Meeting Josephine, Kweku, and Bob, we could see the pride they had in their businesses, and what their efforts – and a little assistance – can produce.

-Jennifer Hoerl