Widows in Wa West to benefit from sustainable income drive backed by diaspora support
A Ghanaian-American academic and philanthropist, Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa, has announced plans to mobilise support to address the economic and social hardships confronting widows in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.
Professor Ofori-Dankwa, the Wickes Endowed Professor of International Business at the Scott L. Carmona College of Business, Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan, United States, made his intentions known during an engagement with about 200 members of the Widows Association in the Sanuori Electoral Area.
The meeting, held in the Sanuori community, created an opportunity for the widows to openly share their experiences, challenges and expectations, allowing the philanthropist to gain first-hand insight into the daily realities they face.
Professor Ofori-Dankwa explained that the visit was deliberately structured around direct dialogue, stressing that meaningful and lasting solutions could only emerge from close collaboration with the women themselves. He expressed confidence that targeted interventions, particularly those centred on income generation, would significantly improve their living conditions.
Plans outlined during the engagement include providing resources to enable widows to establish or expand small-scale income-generating activities, with the goal of promoting self-reliance and reducing long-term vulnerability.
The initiative is also expected to benefit from institutional collaboration. Professor Bernard Obeng Acquah, Dean of the GIMPA Business School, disclosed plans to partner with Professor Ofori-Dankwa to strengthen support systems for widows across the region. He noted that Professor Ofori-Dankwa has previously been involved in similar support initiatives for widows in Oda.
During the interaction, members of the Widows Association highlighted persistent challenges, including limited access to farming inputs and acute water shortages, which continue to undermine their livelihoods. Professor Ofori-Dankwa acknowledged these concerns, observing that poverty in affected households often pushes children of widows into illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey, in search of income. He noted that such activities expose both the children and the environment to serious risks.
As part of efforts to improve economic resilience, the Widows Association plans to position itself as a platform for sharing improved farming and processing techniques to boost productivity. Key initiatives include enhanced support for shea nut collection and improved shea butter processing methods.
Protective equipment such as boots and gloves will also be provided to reduce the risks associated with shea nut harvesting, including snake bites and dog attacks. In addition, the association intends to organise collective shea nut harvesting activities to strengthen bargaining power and secure better market prices for members.
These interventions are expected not only to increase income levels but also to promote unity and mutual support among the widows.
The Wa West District Assemblyman, Claudius Dare Kuuyor, welcomed the initiative and urged the widows to embrace Professor Ofori-Dankwa’s engagement as a positive step for the community. He encouraged them to remain patient, noting that although the benefits might not be immediate, the support would yield lasting impact over time, likening the initiative to the care and guidance of a biological father for the community.
