She Built This. Now Let's Build What's Next
Launching the Ghana Women's Dignity Income Partnership — International Women's Day 2026
It’s easy to see skincare as something small — a container on the counter, a bar by the sink, a bottle in your bag. But every ingredient has a beginning, and that beginning matters more than we often realize. Every container of shea butter, every bar of black soap, every bottle of baobab oil that arrives at your door started with a woman in northern Ghana.
She collected the nuts during the dry season. She roasted and processed them using equipment that she helped design — ergonomic stations built to reduce the back strain of traditional methods without sacrificing yield. She packaged what you hold in your hands, in a covered facility that didn't exist three years ago, with clean water running nearby that 150 families now use every day.
She was not a recipient of charity. She was paid for her work. Fairly. Directly. With infrastructure around her that your purchases helped build.
She built this. And with your partnership, she'll build what comes next
This International Women's Day, we're launching the Ghana Women's Dignity Income Partnership — a formal, structured way to participate in ongoing dignified income creation for the women who make everything Baraka sells. And we want to tell you what that actually means, and what you have already made possible.
This Is Not Charity. This Is Dignified Income.
There is a meaningful difference between charity and dignity.
Charity is episodic. It flows from pity, and it positions the recipient as someone who cannot provide for themselves without outside help. It is well-meaning, but it is fundamentally unequal.
Dignified income is different. It is earned. It comes from work that has real value — skilled, traditional work that produces ingredients that people around the world want and pay for. The role of a company like Baraka is not to give women something they could not earn on their own. It is to build the systems, relationships, and infrastructure that connect their labour to the global market at fair prices, and to reinvest in those systems so that the income grows and becomes more reliable over time.
That is the model. And it is working.
In 2024–2025, over 1,100 women participated directly in Baraka's shea butter supply chain. A further estimated 2,000+ women were reached through supply chain partners sourcing cocoa butter, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, red palm oil, and baobab oil. More than 3,000 women in total benefit from income opportunities connected to Baraka's operations — primarily through earned income from collection, processing, and production.
Not grants. Not handouts. Earned income, from work they are skilled at, in communities where that work now has better tools, better infrastructure, and a reliable buyer.
What Your Purchases Have Actually Built
Over the past 18 months, Baraka invested more than USD $100,000 in transforming the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in northern Ghana. That investment was co-financed by customers through purchases, tips, and Dignity of Income contributions, and by key partners including NOÈ, a French organization that co-financed equipment and infrastructure.
Here is what that looks like in practice:
Processing equipment — Six eco-ergonomic shea roasters, developed in partnership with Burn Design Lab, now operate at the Centre. Traditional open-fire roasting required women to stand, constantly stir, and endure direct smoke and heat exposure. The new roasters allow women to sit comfortably while built-in chimneys channel smoke away. Women describe them as "family-friendly" — safer for children to be nearby, and allowing mothers to roast with babies on their backs. When paired with waste-to-energy fuel blocks made from shea processing byproducts, these roasters reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%.
A 30 × 90 ft covered work area — Built from the ground up, this provides year-round weather protection for processing, packaging, and production. Before it existed, rain meant stopping work. Now it doesn't.
Ergonomic whipping stations — Traditional shea whipping required women to bend over basins on the ground for hours. Stations set too high prevented women from applying the force needed for good yield. Through extensive experimentation with the women themselves, Baraka identified the optimal height that reduces back strain while preserving yield. Twelve stations are now in use.
Packaging infrastructure — Over 80% of Baraka products are now packaged to consumer-ready state in Ghana. More value stays in the community where the work happens.
A community water system — Used by over 150 families daily. Hours previously spent
collecting water are now available for income-generating work, family care, and rest.
Training — Over 500 training days delivered in 2024–2025, covering black soap production, shea quality improvement, kombo butter processing, mango collection, and deforestation awareness.
None of this was funded by a charitable foundation. It was built because customers like you buy shea butter, black soap, and natural ingredients from a company that reinvests in the people who make them.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
Baraka surveys customers regularly. Here is what those surveys found:
- 85% of customers cite social, environmental, or supply-chain authenticity as a primary purchase driver
- 34% of customers, when offered a choice between a personal benefit or a USD $100 Dignity of Income contribution in their name, chose to support women producers
- USD $17,500 was contributed by customers in 2025 through tips and the Dignity of Income Fund — over and above purchases
- 4.93 / 5 customer satisfaction across 17,000+ verified reviews
The 34% figure is worth sitting with. When given a real choice — take something for yourself, or direct value to women producers in Ghana — more than one in three customers chose the women. That is not charity behaviour. That is values-aligned participation from people who understand what they are buying and why it matters.
You can read the full account in Baraka's 2025 Social & Environmental Impact Report — an honest document that distinguishes confirmed figures from estimates, and describes what has been built, what is still being learned, and what comes next.
International Women's Day and the Partnership Launch
International Women's Day exists to recognize the economic, cultural, and social achievements of women — and to acknowledge the persistent gap between recognition and reality for women in many parts of the world.
For women in northern Ghana, that gap is real. Traditional farming, petty trading, and household labour remain essential and deeply rooted. But they are seasonal, unpredictable, and often insufficient for the needs of a family. The challenge is not that these women lack skills or work ethic. It is that the systems connecting their work to stable income have historically been thin, extractive, or absent.
Baraka's model is designed specifically to address that. Not by replacing traditional livelihoods, but by creating complementary income opportunities that fit around the rhythms of how women already live and work. Shea processing happens when farming demands are lighter. Mango collection aligns with a season when shea activity is lower. Black soap production can happen year-round, in small batches, around family responsibilities.
The Ghana Women's Dignity Income Partnership is the next step in that model. It converts episodic customer goodwill — tips at checkout, one-time contributions, seasonal giving — into something more powerful: predictable, plannable funding that allows Baraka to schedule the next equipment purchase, the next training program, the next infrastructure improvement, rather than hoping for it.
It launches today, on International Women's Day, because that alignment is not manufactured. It is honest.
How the Partnership Works
The partnership has four tiers, structured as one unified system:
| Tier | Contribution | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Partner | $10/month | Subscription |
| Partner Plus — Training & Tools | $30/month | Subscription |
| Major Partner — Infrastructure Builder | $1,000/year | One-time annual |
| Major Partner — Transformation Partner | $2,500/year | One-time annual |
Every partner at every tier receives a personalized, framable digital certificate recognizing their participation — designed for display, social media sharing, and use in your own ESG or sustainability communications.
Major Partners additionally receive name or logo placement on the Konjeihi Dignity of Income Wall, recognition in Baraka's annual ESG impact report, and annual Ghana engagement.
This is not a donation program. There are no charitable receipts. This is a commercial participation framework — customers and businesses choosing to be co-investors in a dignified income system that is already working.
Celebrating With Your Hands: Six Recipes from the Women Who Made Your Ingredients
The women of the Konjeihi Centre didn't just process these ingredients. They helped design the equipment used to make them. They have been making shea butter by hand for generations, using techniques passed down through their communities.
The best way to honour that, beyond joining the partnership, is to use what they made.
Here are six recipes — each named for something the partnership stands for, each using four ingredients or fewer, each designed to be made by anyone.
1. The Dignity Butter
A foundational daily body butter. Simple, nourishing, and made entirely from ingredients handcrafted by women in Ghana.
Why this is a great DIY recipe: This is the recipe to start with. Three ingredients, one method, endless versatility. Shea butter provides intensive moisture barrier repair; cocoa butter adds protective barrier function and gentle natural chocolate notes; coconut oil lightens the texture for year-round use. Together they create a body butter that rivals expensive commercial versions — without petroleum, without synthetic emollients, and with complete ingredient transparency.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yield: Approximately 150ml (one medium container)
Why these ingredients work together:
Shea Butter delivers vitamins A and E directly to skin while creating long-lasting moisture occlusion. Cocoa Butter adds protective barrier function and antioxidant richness. Coconut Oil brings lightweight moisture and natural preservation properties that extend shelf life.
Ingredients (equal parts):
- Shea Butter
- Cocoa Butter
- Coconut Oil
-
Optional: 10–15 drops lavender or vanilla essential oil
Directions:
- Melt shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil together in a double boiler over medium heat, stirring gently until fully combined and liquid.
- Remove from heat.
- Add essential oil if using and stir to distribute.
- Cool in the refrigerator until the mixture just begins to solidify at the edges — about 45 minutes.
- Whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes.
- Transfer to a clean package. Store in a cool, dry place.
Application: Apply to damp skin after bathing for best absorption. A small amount goes a long way.
Shelf life: 6–8 months stored away from direct heat and sunlight.
Customization:
- Add 1 part Baobab Oil for a lighter, faster-absorbing finish
- Swap coconut oil for Shea Oil for an entirely shea-based butter
- Add a pinch of cacao powder for a light chocolate tint and scent
2. The Partnership Balm
Four ingredients. Four tiers. One unified system. This concentrated balm goes deep.
Why this is a great DIY recipe:
This is a step up from a basic body butter — richer, more concentrated, and built around kombo butter, one of Baraka's rarest and most potent ingredients. Kombo is deeply moisturizing, traditionally used for skin conditions, and rarely found in commercial products. Baobab oil ensures the balm penetrates rather than just sitting on the surface. Use this as a targeted treatment for elbows, heels, hands, or anywhere that needs serious attention.
Skill Level: Beginner Yield: Approximately 100ml
Why these ingredients work together:
Shea Butter provides the base — rich, conditioning, and long-lasting. Kombo Butter adds rare anti-inflammatory and deeply moisturizing properties traditionally valued across West Africa. Baobab Oil — rich in vitamins A, D, and E — ensures the balm absorbs and delivers rather than just coating.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Shea Butter
- 1 part Kombo Butter
- 1 part Baobab Oil
- Optional: 10 drops frankincense essential oil
Directions:
- Melt shea butter and kombo butter together in a double boiler over low-medium heat until fully combined.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in baobab oil until fully incorporated.
- Add essential oil if using.
- Cool at room temperature until thickened — do not refrigerate this one, as kombo butter sets firm and can become grainy if chilled too quickly.
- Whip briefly with a fork or hand mixer for a smoother texture, or leave to set as a firmer salve.Transfer to a clean package.
Application: Use a small amount — this is concentrated. Ideal for hands, heels, elbows, and dry patches. Apply before bed for overnight repair.
Shelf life: 8–10 months.
Customization:
- Add Shea Oil in place of some baobab oil for a slightly lighter texture
- Replace frankincense with lavender for a calming evening balm
- Use as a hair mask — apply to ends, leave for 30 minutes, shampoo out
3. Konjeihi Gold
Named for the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre. Red palm oil gives this butter its distinctive warm, golden colour — a colour that comes from carotene, not dye.
Why this is a great DIY recipe:
This is Baraka's four-ingredient hero recipe — the foundation of our Shea Bliss Botanical Blend kit — and it is extraordinary. Red palm oil is one of the most nutrient-dense plant oils in the world, rich in carotenoids, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10. Combined with shea, cocoa, and kombo, this butter is deeply nourishing, naturally golden, and made entirely from ingredients handcrafted by women in northern Ghana.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yield: Approximately 200ml
Why these ingredients work together:
Shea Butter provides the conditioning base. Cocoa Butter adds protective structure and antioxidant richness. Kombo Butter brings rare anti-inflammatory depth. Red Palm Oil delivers extraordinary carotenoid content and a warm, natural colour — and is RSPO certified sustainable.
Ingredients (equal parts):
Directions:
- Melt all four ingredients together in a double boiler, stirring until fully combined and liquid.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool at room temperature until partially solidified — the mixture will turn a beautiful golden colour as it cools.
- Whip until creamy and smooth, about 3–5 minutes.
- Transfer to a clean package. The natural golden colour is from carotene — not dye, not additives.
Application: Use as a daily body butter. The red palm oil's natural carotene provides a very subtle warming tone to skin with consistent use — this is expected and beneficial.
Shelf life: 6–8 months.
Customization:
- Add a few drops of sweet orange essential oil — it pairs beautifully with the warm, earthy tones
- Reduce red palm oil proportion slightly if you prefer a lighter colour
- Use as a deep conditioning hair treatment applied before washing
4. Gentle Arrival — Baby Lotion Butter
For new babies and the mothers who hold them. Fragrance-free. Pure. Safe for the most sensitive skin.
Why this is a great DIY recipe:
Shea butter has been used for generations across Ghana to protect and nourish babies' skin. This recipe keeps that tradition in its simplest form — three ingredients, no essential oils, nothing a baby doesn't need. Coconut oil lightens the texture for gentle daily application; baobab oil adds vitamins and fast absorption without fragrance. The result is a pure, genuinely effective baby butter that you can make and trust completely.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yield: Approximately 120ml
Why these ingredients work together:
Shea Butter has a centuries-long history of use on infant skin across West Africa — gentle, nourishing, and deeply conditioning without irritation. Coconut Oil provides lightweight antimicrobial protection and lightens the texture for easy spreading. Baobab Oil adds omega fatty acids and vitamins without any fragrance — safe for the most sensitive newborn skin.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Shea Butter
- 1 part Coconut Oil
- 1 part Baobab Oil
- No essential oils — keep this one pure
Directions:
- Melt shea butter and coconut oil together in a double boiler over low heat — gentle heat only.
- Remove from heat and stir in baobab oil until fully combined.
- Cool completely in the refrigerator until just beginning to solidify at the edges.
- Whip until light and airy, 2–3 minutes.Transfer to a clean package with a tight lid.
Application: Apply a small amount to baby's skin after bath — a little goes a long way. Suitable for face, body, and scalp. Can also be used by mothers for daily skin care.
Patch test: As with any new product, apply a small amount to a small area of baby's skin and wait 24 hours before full use.
Shelf life: 4–6 months. No preservatives means a shorter shelf life — make small batches and use fresh.
Customization:
- Replace baobab oil with Shea Oil to keep the recipe entirely shea-based
- Add a drop of chamomile essential oil for babies over 3 months if a gentle scent is desired
5. Mother's Rest — Stretch Mark and Recovery Butter
For the body that grew a life. Rich, healing, and made with ingredients that have supported women's skin for centuries.
Why this is a great DIY recipe
Cocoa butter and shea butter together are one of the most time-tested combinations for skin elasticity and recovery — used by women across West Africa and worldwide for generations. This recipe adds baobab oil for vitamin C and omega fatty acids that support skin regeneration. It is especially effective during pregnancy and in the months after delivery, applied consistently to belly, hips, and thighs. Make a batch to use yourself, and make one for a new mother in your life.
Skill Level: Beginner
Yield: Approximately 150ml
Why these ingredients work together:
Shea Butter provides long-lasting occlusion that keeps moisture locked into skin that is stretching and recovering. Cocoa Butter improves skin elasticity and softness — its antioxidant richness supports skin that is under physical stress.Baobab Oil penetrates quickly and delivers vitamin C and omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids that support tissue repair and regeneration.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Shea Butter
- 1 part Cocoa Butter
- 1 part Baobab Oil
- Optional: 10 drops rosehip seed oil (carrier oil, not essential oil — add after cooling)
Directions:
- Melt shea butter and cocoa butter together in a double boiler until fully liquid and combined.Remove from heat.
- Stir in baobab oil and rosehip oil if using until fully incorporated.
- Cool until partially set — about 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Whip until creamy and smooth.Transfer to a clean package.
Application: Apply generously to belly, hips, thighs, and breasts during pregnancy and after delivery. Best applied after bathing while skin is still slightly warm. Consistent daily use gives the best results.
Shelf life: 6–8 months.
Customization:
- Add 5 drops of lavender essential oil for a calming scent during pregnancy
- Replace rosehip with Shea Oil for a fully Ghana-sourced recipe
- Use as a daily face moisturiser — the combination is excellent for mature or dry skin
6. The Transformation Oil
Light, versatile, absorbs instantly. Named for the top tier of the partnership — and for what consistent investment makes possible.
Why this is a great DIY recipe:
This is the no-heat recipe — combine, shake, done. Baobab oil and shea oil together create a fast-absorbing daily face and body oil that works on skin and hair without heaviness. Shea oil (the liquid fraction of shea butter) carries all of shea's conditioning properties in a lighter, completely liquid form. This is the recipe for people who want the benefits of shea without the richness of a butter. It also makes a beautiful hair serum.
Skill Level: Beginner (no heat required)
Yield: Approximately 100ml (one dropper bottle or small glass bottle)
Why these ingredients work together:
Baobab Oil is fast-absorbing and deeply nourishing — the foundation of this oil blend. Shea Oil delivers shea's conditioning vitamins in a completely liquid form that absorbs without residue. Coconut Oil (in liquid form) adds lightweight antimicrobial properties and a light, pleasant texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Baobab Oil
- 1 part Shea Oil
- 1 part Coconut Oil (fractionated, or melted and cooled to clear liquid)
- Optional: 5 drops of your favourite essential oil
Directions:
- Combine all oils in a clean glass dropper bottle or small glass bottle — no heat required.
- Cap and shake gently until fully combined.
- Add essential oil if using and shake again.Apply 3–5 drops to face, body, or hair ends as needed.
Application: Apply to face after cleansing, to damp body skin after bathing, or to hair ends as a finishing serum. A few drops go a long way. Shake before each use.
Shelf life: 8–12 months stored away from direct sunlight.
Customization:
- Add 3 drops rosehip seed oil for a face-focused anti-aging formula
- Use baobab only (no coconut) for a single-oil simplicity version
- Add 2 drops of tea tree oil for a scalp-targeting hair treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What is the Ghana Women's Dignity Income Partnership?
A.The Ghana Women's Dignity Income Partnership is a program by Baraka Impact that allows customers and businesses to contribute monthly or annually to fund equipment, training, and infrastructure for women producers in northern Ghana. It starts at $10 per month and is not a donation — it is a structured commercial participation in a dignified income system already producing real outcomes.
Q.How does Baraka support women in Ghana?
A.Baraka sources shea butter, baobab oil, cocoa butter, and other natural ingredients directly from women's cooperatives in northern Ghana. Over 1,100 women participate directly in Baraka's shea butter supply chain. Baraka has invested over $100,000 in the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre, including eco-ergonomic processing equipment, covered work areas, and training programs.
Q.Is Baraka shea butter fair trade?
A.Baraka operates on a direct trade model, sourcing directly from women's cooperatives without intermediaries. Women earn income through collection, processing, and production. Baraka reinvests in equipment, infrastructure, and training — creating what Baraka calls dignified income rather than charity.
Q.How do I make a simple body butter with shea butter?
A.Melt equal parts shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil together in a double boiler. Remove from heat, cool in the refrigerator until partially set, then whip until fluffy. Transfer to a clean package and store in a cool, dry place. This basic recipe is nourishing, versatile, and made entirely from natural ingredients.
Q.What is the Dignity of Income Partnership?
A.The Dignity of Income Partnership — officially the Ghana Women's Dignity Income Partnership — is Baraka's program for ongoing customer participation in income creation for women producers in Ghana. Monthly tiers start at $10/month. Annual Major Partner tiers start at $1,000/year. Every partner receives a framable digital certificate recognizing their participation.
Q.What is shea oil and how is it different from shea butter?
A.Shea oil is the liquid fraction of shea butter — it contains shea's conditioning vitamins and fatty acids in a completely liquid form that absorbs quickly without the richness of solid butter. It is ideal for facial oils, hair serums, and lighter body oil formulations.
Shop the Ingredients in These Recipes
Pure. Natural. Handcrafted by women's cooperatives in northern Ghana.
Shea Butter — Rich and deeply conditioning. The foundation of every recipe here.
Cocoa Butter — Firm, antioxidant-rich, with natural chocolate notes. Adds structure and protection.
Coconut Oil — Lightweight, antimicrobial, and naturally preserving. Lightens any formulation.
Kombo Butter — Rare and deeply moisturizing. Traditionally valued across West Africa for skin conditions.
Red Palm Oil — RSPO certified, carotenoid-rich, and extraordinarily nourishing. Gives Konjeihi Gold its distinctive colour.
Baobab Oil — Fast-absorbing, vitamin-dense, and versatile in every recipe.
Shea Oil — All of shea's benefits in a light, liquid form. Ideal for facial oils and hair serums.
Every purchase supports the women who made these ingredients. Every partnership contribution helps plan what comes next. Read the 2025 Social & Environmental Impact Report to see exactly what has been built — and what your support makes possible.
Every partner receives a personalized digital certificate within 72 hours of joining.
