Amidst the rural landscapes of the Kumbungu District Assembly, the Limo Pagsung Women Co-operative Food Farming and Marketing Society Limited stands as a testament to the power of unity and determination. Made up of 207 dedicated women, this co-operative has not only transformed the lives of its members but has also become a driving force for economic development in the community.

The Limo Pagsung Co-operative was founded under the visionary leadership of Hajia Safia Andani, a trailblazer in women’s empowerment. Already celebrated as the founder of the Pagsung Women Co-operative Food Farming and Marketing Company in Sagnarigu, Hajia Safia extended her efforts to Limo. With the goal of harnessing the economic potential of shea nut, the co-operative began aggregating and marketing shea nuts, collecting over 5,000 bags annually. Their work supported their mother company and provided sustainable income to women in the region.

According to the founder, Hajia Safia Andani “The co-operative has a potential looking at the rate of growth. However, procuring shea nuts from nearby villages required significant upfront capital, a resource that was scarce as demand for their supplies grew. Such financial constraints threatened their ability to meetl orders and sustain operations. The women’s dreams of expansion seemed to be slipping away.

In that moment of need, Hajia Safia reached out to Tradeline Consult (TLC), an organization committed to empowering small businesses. Recognizing the immense potential of the Limo Pagsung Co-operative, Tradeline connected them with the Tamale Archdiocesan union of Corperative Society for Development (TAUCSOD), which provided the group with a life-changing loan of 86,000 Ghana cedis.

The loan marked a turning point. With this financial backing, the co-operative expanded its operations, procured more shea nuts, and increased its capacity to meet supply commitments. The ripple effects of this success are profound. The women’s collective income grew, benefiting not just their families but also the entire community. Young women, who previously faced limited opportunities, found employment and purpose through the co-operative’s activities.

Leadership and Legacy:

The Limo Pagsung Co-operative now has a new leader in the person of  Seidu Abdul Rahman, who supervises the group with dedication and a vision for its continued success. For Abdul Rahman, the co-operative is more than just an organization. It is an inspiration that fuels his own aspirations as he pursues his tertiary education. Under his stewardship, the group is poised to reach even greater heights.

Plans for the future:

The Limo Pagsung Women Co-operative plans to expand into value-added shea products such as shea butter and cosmetics, tapping into lucrative local and international markets. This diversification will not only increase their revenue but also create additional employment opportunities for women and youth in the region.

The co-operative also aims to invest in capacity building, equipping its members with skills in financial management, product development, and marketing. With continued support from partners like Tradeline and TAUCSOD, the Limo Pagsung Co-operative is set to become a model for rural development and women’s empowerment across Ghana and beyond.

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