By; Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Women and young people in Nsaakye in the Eastern part of Ghana and surrounding communities have been equipped with practical skills in soap production following a hands-on training initiative aimed at promoting economic independence and reducing vulnerability.
The programme, organised by Hope for Africa with support from Association of Spouses of Heads of Mission and International Organizations, brought together participants from South Ansa and nearby areas to learn how to produce bar soap, liquid soap, and dishwashing products for both domestic use and commercial purposes.
Speaking at the training, Country Director of Hope for Africa, Vincentia Koranteng, said the initiative was driven by the increasing vulnerability of women due to unemployment.
“It has come to our attention that a lot of women become vulnerable when they don’t have any work doing, so as an organisation we took it upon ourselves to go into rural communities and equip women with economic skills,” she said.
She explained that the training focused on simple, income-generating activities that participants can easily replicate within their communities using locally available materials.
Beneficiaries were taken through the production of bar soap and liquid soap, including dishwashing products, which can be sold in nearby markets to generate steady income. Participants were guided through the full production process. For bar soap, they learned how to mix caustic soda with water and oils in the right proportions, stir to achieve the desired consistency, and pour the mixture into moulds to harden before cutting into bars. For liquid soap, trainees were taught how to combine ingredients such as sulphonic acid and soda ash, followed by stirring, thickening, and the addition of fragrance and colouring before packaging.
Emphasis was placed on safety, hygiene, and accurate measurement to ensure quality and consumer safety. Madam Koranteng noted that the organisation will continue to support beneficiaries beyond the training through follow-ups, monitoring, and additional guidance on product standardisation and business development.
She added that regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drugs Authority will be engaged to help participants meet required standards.
The initiative also addresses broader issues of sanitation and hygiene, with organisers highlighting that increased access to affordable soap products can improve personal hygiene practices, particularly among young girls.
Head Pastor of Nsaakye Assemblies of God, Henry Marshall Asare, commended the programme, urging participants to take advantage of the opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods.
Hope for Africa’s initiatives in Ghana focus on empowering communities through education, digital innovation, sustainable development and healthcare improvements. The organisation is also actively engaged in menstrual hygiene management, including reusable products, gender-based domestic violence advocacy, women empowerment, gender equality, human rights, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene interventions.
ASOHOM (Association of Spouses of Heads of Mission and International Organizations), a diplomatic body based in Accra, is dedicated to charitable causes, cultural exchange and the promotion of African creativity, and has continued to support community-based empowerment programmes across the country.
The initiative is expected to have a lasting impact in the community, as participants apply their knowledge to generate income, improve hygiene practices, and contribute to local development.
