Poverty erasure for producers in developing countries and a growing
awareness about the link between ethical sourcing, local production at
developed world standards is informing how we, at Akoma, are playing a
critical role, from a business point of view.

Our objective has been to evolve into a company that builds in ethical value
from source, into product and through our supply chain relationships.
"Our co-operatives in various parts of Ghana process and produce our Shea
butter and Palm Oil products," Besides focusing on the quality of ingredients
and processes, we are conscious of the need to ensure people grow and
enjoy an equitable relationship with us. My view was and continues to be that
with a profitable business our aim is to make life comfortable for local
communities we are involved with in the UK and Ghana.

We have and continue to work with our local partners to facilitate strong social
structure that re-invests in the local society and infrastructure in a way that
makes their Shea Butter and Palm Oil agriculture sustainable, profitable, not
exploitative of grower, producer and consumer.

I had worked at Sainsburys and had in mind to career up the ladder into a
buying role, I was getting increasingly interested in the notion of what I could
do meaningfully with my ‘’supply chain” knowledge which impacts on
development in emerging economies. My relationship with Ghana makes for a
logical point of departure. This got me thinking about why there was not much
innovation in products sourced from Ghana or indeed quite a number of West
African countries. The plan then went on to become exploring Ghana and in
the process I became fascinated by how co-operatives predominantly made
up of women, harvested Palm-Oil and Shea-Butter without any unbalancing
act to both product’s eco-systems.

I am not averse to experimentation and I find product development a
necessary element of market development. This means we either work with
our supply chain partners to develop unusual product blends with Shea or
Palm Oil balanced flavours in-house. In light of these we are working with
manufacturers who hold a high standard of operational, ethical and equitable
standards.

One of the products within our portfolio is Carotino Palm Oil, a blend of all natural
red palm fruit oil. It is made from a patented extraction
method. Its red hue comes from high levels of carotenes (vitamin A) that are
naturally present. Carotino is also higher in vitamin E and Omega 3 and 6
fatty acids than other oils. It has a neutral flavour and may be used cold for
dressing or heated for sauteeing and even frying. During cooking, the oil does
impart a yellow-golden hue to the foods as the carotenes are transferred into
the cooked dishes. Carotino has no trans-fatty acids, is not hydrogenated and
contains no artificial colorings or preservatives.

How do you cook with it?
Carotino can be used in the full spectrum of cooking, from cold salad
dressings to heated oil for frying.
Sources for info on Carotino Oil; www.akomafoods.com