Palm Oil, Big Dreams, and the Power to Lift a Community

By Ernestina Esinam Glikpo, Communications Manager

In the Juaben Municipality in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, the sound of a palm fruit digester and the warm, golden scent of freshly pressed oil tell the story of a remarkable woman named Gladys.

Years ago, Gladys stood beside another processor as an apprentice, learning the craft of palm oil production. It was hard, messy work, but she had a vision: one day, she would run her own business and create opportunities for other women in her community. With training and encouragement from Self-Help International, that dream began to take shape.

Today, Gladys is no longer just learning—she’s leading. She owns and operates her own palm oil processing enterprise in Juaben, employing over 20 women. Together, they’re not just producing palm oil; they’re building livelihoods, putting food on tables, paying school fees, and proving that when women have the right tools and support, they can transform entire communities.

But Gladys’s work is still harder than it needs to be. Without a palm fruit digester—a vital machine that speeds up and improves oil extraction—production is slow, labor-intensive, and costly. Every delay means less oil to sell, less income for the women who depend on her, and fewer resources to reinvest in the community. A single palm fruit digester is sold for GHS 5,000 (about $460).

Gladys isn’t asking for a handout—she’s asking for a hand up. With the right equipment, she can scale her business, employ even more women, and show the next generation that determination, skills, and opportunity can change the course of a life.

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