Hundreds of women in small-scale oil palm extraction business in the Aboasa-Akwamu of the Eastern Region have benefited from an oil palm processing machine.
The machine was acquired through the support of Tigo’s Community Champion programme launched in 2013 to address the peculiar needs of various communities across the country.

Traditionally, the production of palm oil was done manually by the women of the Aboasa community and as a result they could only produce a few gallons a day after a very lengthy process.

The smoke from the various processes of cooking the palm fruits and extracting the oil was also dangerous to their health and wellbeing.

Commissioning the project, Tigo’s Director for Customer Operations and Acting Director for Tigo Business, Stephen Essien, said as an initiative, Community Champions had been a resounding success. It had responded to the various needs of several communities.

“We know that women in rural areas face persistent challenges in access to resources, knowledge and services; [and] responding to their plea for an oil palm processing machine, was a step in the right direction. We are confident that the new processing machine will change the lives of the women and children who essentially depend on agriculture for their livelihood”, he said.

He said in providing quality and reliable access to communication services to Ghanaians, Tigo remains committed to fostering improved living standards in the communities where it operates.

Nana Minta IV, the Chief of Aboasa, expressed excitement with the new processing machine saying he was optimistic it will boost employment opportunities for the women and men in the community.

Since it was launched in 2013, several projects have been undertaken as part of the ‘Community Champions’ programme. They include the donation of 100 bicycles to Family for Organised Lives (FFOL); renovation of the Tafo Maternity Unity, provision of potable water to Dawurampong in the Central Region and the donation of hospital equipment to the Keta Government Hospital.