YOUR IMPACT: Charles Suurimwine

Charles Suurimwine is the Chief of the Oli community in Ghana's Upper West Region. As chief, he takes his responsibility for the well-being of his community and its families seriously — and that includes the women who produce shea butter through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre. His perspective on the Baraka relationship is that of a community leader who has watched the cooperative's impact unfold over time.

In this video, Charles speaks directly about what Baraka's presence in Oli has meant for the women in his community. He describes how Baraka came in and worked with the women — and rather than pushing them aside, uplifted them from the struggles and difficulties they were facing. It is a community leader's account of what ethical sourcing looks like from the inside.

The women Charles speaks about are the same producers whose work makes Baraka shea butter possible. Baraka sources shea butter directly through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region — a cooperative relationship maintained for over 15 years. Every batch is hand-processed using traditional water-based methods with zero chemical extraction, and complete chain-of-custody documentation is available for any order. The women who produce this ingredient receive a fair-trade premium directly, without intermediaries.

For formulators and soap makers sourcing shea butter, the community context matters. A chief speaking on behalf of his community is a different kind of accountability than a certificate — it is a social record of how a supplier behaves on the ground. If you are evaluating shea butter for professional use, you can read more about how to source shea butter for soap making, including what to look for in a supplier's supply chain practices.

Over 90% of the people working with Baraka in Ghana are women. Every purchase supports their ability to work with dignity, earn a fair income, and build futures for their families. To understand the full scope of this work, you can read Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report, which details the cooperative's progress and the lives behind every batch.

You can also learn more through these related resources: the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre, the fair trade story behind Baraka's ingredients, and how handmade shea butter is made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Charles Suurimwine and what is his role?

Charles Suurimwine is the Chief of the Oli community in Ghana's Upper West Region. As chief, he is responsible for the well-being of the community and its families — including the women who produce shea butter through the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre. He speaks in this video as a community leader who has observed the impact of the Baraka cooperative relationship on the women in his community over time.

What does Charles say about Baraka's work in the Oli community?

Charles speaks about how Baraka came into the Oli community and worked alongside the women rather than displacing or marginalising them. He describes the impact as one of upliftment — Baraka helped the women move out of the struggles and difficulties they were facing. As chief, his endorsement carries the weight of community-level observation and accountability, not just individual experience.

Who makes Baraka shea butter?

Baraka shea butter is made by women at the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region. These women hand-process shea nuts using traditional water-based methods passed down through generations — cracking, grinding, boiling, and skimming by hand, with zero chemical extraction. Baraka has maintained this direct cooperative relationship for over 15 years. More than 90% of the people working with Baraka in Ghana are women.

What is the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre?

The Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre is a women's cooperative in Ghana's Upper West Region through which Baraka sources its shea butter and other ingredients. It operates as a direct, fair-trade cooperative — producers receive a fair-trade premium without intermediaries. Baraka has worked directly with the centre for over 15 years. The cooperative connects multiple producer communities across the region, including the Oli community where Charles Suurimwine serves as chief.

How can formulators verify the sourcing claims behind Baraka shea butter?

Baraka provides complete chain-of-custody documentation for any order — every step from shea nut harvest through processing, packing, and shipping is documented and traceable. Videos like this one, featuring community leaders speaking on the record about Baraka's practices, are part of that transparency commitment. Formulators and B2B buyers can also read the full Social and Environmental Impact Report and contact Baraka directly for supply chain documentation.

About the Author

Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.