Motorbikes for the Queens of Bees
Blog by Imogen Astley Jones
Posted: 4 August 2023
Here at Bees for Development, we are excited to be launching this new campaign, ‘Motorbikes for the Queens of Bees’ in support of Bees for Development Ghana’s work to address gender inequality in beekeeping.
We are creating opportunities for women otherwise confined to domestic duties to support themselves through beekeeping. Bees for Development Ghana is investing in the training of three local women – Clara, Rejoice and Florence – to become professional beekeepers and Extension Agents. The programme will provide these women with the knowledge and skills they need to train other women in sustainable beekeeping to become self-sufficient, empowered beekeepers.
One of the trainees, Rejoice says:
“The move by Bees for development Ghana to train women professional beekeeping trainers to address the gender disparity in the beekeeping sector in Ghana, is in the right direction. Beekeeping has enormous environmental, social and economic benefits. As a woman, I am very excited to be part of this 18-month training programme. There could not have been a better opportunity to learn and be able to also impact other women, especially the rural dwellers.”
Clara, Rejoice and Florence (left to right) are training with Bees for Development Ghana to become Beekeeping Extension Agents.
Most Beekeeping Extension Agents, who train local people in beekeeping, are men. As such, they may lack insight into the unique challenges faced by women entering beekeeping. Our work aims to reach more women by introducing three highly trained female beekeepers to local communities who understand the challenges that women face when they start to keep bees and can act as positive role models for women who want to get their beekeeping ventures off the ground.
Clara, Rejoice and Florence are currently undertaking an intensive training programme of five modules, delivered over 18 months, which will prepare them for their roles as ambassadors and change-makers for women beekeeping in Ghana.
The trainees learning to test honey quality and moisture content.
Training involves theoretical lessons in Nature-Based Beekeeping.
The trainees learn about constructing bee hives, such as this top-bar hive.
Reflecting on her experiences so far, Rejoice says: “We had a successful first stage of training at Saltpond. I should say this training and its packages delivered beyond my expectations. I look forward to becoming a confident and successful professional beekeeper trainer, training many women in beekeeping and practicing beekeeping myself.”
The ‘Motorbikes for the Queens of Bees’ campaign aims to raise £10,000 to purchase motorbikes for Clara, Rejoice and Florence to use in their day-to-day work as Beekeeping Extension Agents. They need motorbikes so that they can more quickly and more regularly reach the beekeepers they are supporting – especially women who may be confined to their home duties. Lightweight, economic and rugged, the motorbikes will be a lifeline for the team, allowing access to the most inaccessible homesteads deep in rural Ghana. By supporting this campaign, you can help Bees for Development Ghana to equip Clara, Rejoice and Florence with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to lift more women out of poverty through the power of bees.
To support the Queens of Bees, please visit our fundraising page at https://www.beesfordevelopment.org/motorbikes/.
