By: Edwin Bett, Regional Coordinator, HomeNet Africa
The Bolgatanga Basket Weavers Club Cooperative Association (BBWCCA) in Ghana has secured a grant of GHS 3 million from the Community Foundation Ghana and the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIMBANKGH) as working capital to enable members to engage in basket weaving as a full-time business. The first tranche of funds arrived in July 2025, allowing the cooperative to fully engage weaving communities operating within its cooperative centers.
In addition to the funding, BBWCCA organized recent workshops on the value of home-based work, supported administratively by HomeNet Africa. The combined support has led to several positive outcomes:
- A shift in weavers’ mindset regarding the value of home-based work.
Consistent working hours, with weavers now working between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Prompt payment for completed baskets within the same week.
- Steady off-take of baskets by exporters due to continuous availability in the warehouse.
- Employment of a quality assurance officer to work closely with the warehouse and weaving centers.
- Purchase of a pickup truck for center visits and basket collection.
This dual funding has significantly strengthened the cooperative’s operations and improved working conditions for its members.
