Malshegu: ‘Pahimisuglo zani n-da mon' viɛla viɛla’

Malshegu, a farming community in the Sagnarigu Municipality in the Northern Region is a bustling hub for mango sales, driven by the entrepreneurial spirit of local women.

Strategically located along the Tamale-Kumbungu-Dalung road, Malshegu is leveraging its position to attract travellers and passersby with the enticing display of ripe mangoes and cheerful calls of vendors.

The now-famous local phrase “Pahimisuglo zani n-da mon' viɛla viɛla” to wit, please stop and buy nice mangoes, greets every passerby.

The women sell freshly harvested mangoes from their husbands’ farms and also buy from nearby markets to meet the high demand.

What began as a seasonal practice has evolved into a significant source of income for many families.

Malshegu has long been known for its lush mango trees, a signature of the community’s agricultural identity.

However, recent developments and increasing human settlement have led to the depletion of many of these trees.

In response, the community, particularly women, have adapted by sustaining the trade through market purchases, demonstrating remarkable resilience.

Lifeline for women

For many women, the mango sales have become a vital economic activity.

 Memunatu Nurideen, a mango seller, attending to a  customer 

One of the vendors, Afiluwa Murtala, said the mango had become her main source of income.

"Every mango season is a busy season because we are located on a busy road and the demand is high.

"We sell a bowl of mangoes for GH¢5 or GH¢10, which helps us make some profit to support our husbands and parents," she narrated.

Afiluwa emphasised the need for support in forming an association that can provide training and access to loans to expand their businesses.

Another vendor, Memunatu Nurideen, expressed concern over the challenges faced during sales, especially the impact of the harsh weather.

“The sun is spoiling our mangoes.

Customers often complain that the ones displayed in the sun don't last for more than three days,” she said.

She also pointed out safety concerns, noting that some traders sold close to the road, risking their lives.

"We need safer places to display our mangoes," she said.

Appeal

The Assembly Woman for the area, Yakubu Bibiana Wumpini, acknowledged the concerns, describing the traders’ proximity to the road as dangerous.

“I’ve advised them to display their mangoes along the edge of the gutter, which is clean and safer, but they’re not heeding the advice,” she said.

She indicated that a piece of land had been earmarked for a market space in the community, but it remained undeveloped.

She therefore appealed to the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly and community leaders to prioritise the development of the market to accommodate the mango sellers and other traders to boost the local economy.