Nayoko Innovations, Ghana
The project wants to create income opportunities through the sustainable utilisation of forest resources.
Project name: Nayoko Innovations Ghana
Project location: Bolgatanga, Upper East Region- Ghana
Project description:
Nayoko Innovations supports rural women in the Upper East Region of Ghana to harness the economic potentials of non-timber forest products through capacity building for the production of products such as straw baskets and shea soap and body lotions. We work towards creating a 'Green Economy', providing income generating opportunities for the poor while paying attention to environmental sustainability. As rural men and women begin to see the economic value of forest resources, then there is a greater incentive for conservation. We are a social venture that connect low-income women and youth to decent work primarily through harnessing the economic potentials of forest resources sustainably.
We also promote financial inclusion for women through facilitating Village Savings and Loans Activities for our women and youth beneficiaries which is expected to contribute to a better savings and investment culture.
Goal and purpose of the project:
Nayoko exists to engage rural women and youth through capacity and skills development to enable them take part in the world of work in a way that creates lasting benefits.
Motivation of the applicant / applicant team:
Our main motivation for participating in this programme is the unique platform it creates for marketing our long term vision of promoting decent work and income generating opportunities especially for rural women and youth in Northern Ghana. We are convinced that the huge platform provided by this initiative would no doubt contribute towards a groundswell of support for our bold ideas. Our aim is to create Rural Solutions with a Global Impact and we believe this challenge fits very well within our broad vision.
Use of prize money:
Our prize would be used for the construction of a multi-purpose community facility - this facility to be located in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana would serve as capacity building centre for women and youth in straw basket making and shea soap and body lotion production. It would also be used to procure some tool kits for our Village Savings and Loans Scheme which we estimate can reach some 50 groups (of 30 members each) , hence directly benefiting 1500 rural women and youth in the municipality.