Shipment of 3.6 tons of honey marks a new opportunity for Nature-based Beekeepers in Kwahu Afram Plains
Blog by Isaac Mbroh
Posted: 23 July 2024
For years, trucks have been seen leaving Donkorkrum in Eastern Region, Ghana, laden with timber and charcoal, the production of which has wreaked havoc on the local environment, causing severe land degradation.
However, this June marked a significant shift in exports out of the area from practices contributing to deforestation to sustainable honey production, thanks to the hard work of Bees for Development Ghana. The first truckload of honey produced by Nature-based Beekeepers in Kwahu Afram Plains departed from Donkorkrom destined for packaging and onward sale.
Charcoal and timber on the ferry at Adawso
The ferry at Adawso near Kwahu Mpraeso successfully carried an impressive 3.6 tons of honey, destined for major cities across Ghana. This momentous shipment not only signifies the region’s debut in the honey market but also marks Donkorkrom and the entire Kwahu Afram Plains as emerging contributors to Ghana’s economy.
Loading 3.6 tons of honey onto the truck
The honey laden truck on the ferry at Adawso, next to a lorry piled high with charcoal
For the residents of Kwahu Afram Plains this change brings environmental relief and economic benefits. The beekeeping initiative, established by Bees for Development Ghana in 2019, has already had a significant impact on the livelihoods of the farmers in the area. In 2024 alone, beekeepers in Afram Plains have collectively earned about 300,000 Ghana cedis from about over 11,000 kilograms of honeycombs sold to the Bees for Develpoment Ghana Honey and Beeswax Trade Centre. This clearly demonstrates the financial viability of Nature-based Beekeeping with the income providing a much-needed financial boost to local families, and offering a sustainable alternative to the destructive practices of charcoal and timber production.
In Kwahu Afram Plains, beekeepers are practising Nature-based Beekeeping which means using the bees’ natural resources to produce honey and beeswax in a sustainable way. This honey is free from pesticides and contaminants because the bees are living in forests and beekeepers do not apply any chemicals to their bees or feed them sugar. From forest to jar is a completely natural process.
“We are proud of our beekeepers – they are determined to make their lives better with bees and now we have the chance to bring this honey out of Donkorkrom and make it available to customers in other parts of Ghana. Who knows in the long term we might even achieve export!” said the Manager of the Bees for Development Ghana Honey and Beeswax Trade Centre, Gideon Zege.
“This is a monumental day for me and my community,” said Shafik Asminu, a beekeeper at Korjobator. “For too long, we have watched our forests disappearing and our environment suffer. Now, we’re not only protecting our natural forest resources but also creating a new source of income for our communities through nature-based beekeeping”.
Gideon receiving honey from a beekeeper in Donkorkrom
As the truck made its way from Donkorkrom, it carried not just honey, but the hopes and dreams of a community committed to a sustainable future. The success of this work heralds a promising future for Kwahu Afram Plains, putting it on the map as a key player in Ghana’s honey market and turning the tide against deforestation. “We aim to make the Kwahu Afram Plains the honey hub of Ghana”, declares Dr Kwame Aidoo, the Director of Bees for Development Ghana.
“This shipment is just the beginning,” says Bees for Development Ghana’s Isaac Mbroh. “We plan to expand this initiative, involving more farmers and increasing our honey production. The goal is to create a sustainable and resilient economy in Kwahu Afram Plains, reducing reliance on destructive practices and promoting environmental conservation through Nature-based Beekeeping. The success of this first truckload demonstrates the potential of sustainable agriculture to transform communities.”
The honey, packaged by the Saltpond Honey Centre
Arial image of Afram Plains where the honey was produced
The honey, received and packaged at the Saltpond Honey Centre, is now ready for distribution to major cities including Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, and Takoradi. So far, they have packaged 1.5 tons of honey – 448 pieces of the 1.5 kg jar and 750 pieces of the 800g jar. This arrangement ensures that the honey meets market standards and is accessible for wholesaling and retailing across the country.
Each jar of packaged honey is a testament to the power of this community-driven initiative, paving the way for a sustainable, more prosperous future for all residents of Kwahu Afram Plains.
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