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We are gearing ourselves up for the OTI Fonio Webinar that is fast approaching. Our resource people from various fields are set to share with you knowledge about how to use OTI Fonio products and their benefits. You don't want to miss out on this educative webinar scheduled to come off on December 15, 2021. Meet one of the speakers for the event, Dorcas Sika Tettey. Dorcas Sika Tettey is a Research and Data Analyst at the international agribusiness and eCommerce company, Organic Trade and Investments (OTI). She has expertise in Data Analysis, Data Visualization and Dashboard Designing. Dorcas holds a Master of Science degree in Economics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Ghana. When she is not dealing with data related work, she enjoys photography, reading, and is passionate about education.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of award-winning E-commerce and Agribusiness company, Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) has urged up-and-coming women in business to not shy away from sharing their difficulties and failures. In her view, these cases are bound to happen to anyone who is determined to build a successful venture. “I failed four times before being here today. To be a successful person goes with failures. Don’t be ashamed to fall. Before babies learn to walk, they have to fall,” Esthy told the audience. She said this during a panel session at the Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference (FLEC) that came off, Monday, November 22 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. Ama Asante who was invited as a distinguished speaker shared her experience in the world of business. The award-winning entrepreneur further revealed she started her company with just GH₵50. According to Esther Ama Asante, budding entrepreneurs do not necessarily have to wait for a huge supply of cash before executing their business goals. Despite the rough start, OTI currently works with 12,000 farmers in Africa. The FLEC event brought together women in various industries to share their knowledge and expertise in the world of entrepreneurship with fellow women who own Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The West African meet-up of the conference was hosted in Ghana. The event offered participants a networking opportunity to create contacts with people in their industry. A number of successful female entrepreneurs and leaders were present at FLEC 2021 and also shared their varying experiences. Some of which include the CEO of TITA Productions, Angela Akua Asante, CEO of Blossom Academy, Jeph Acheampong, Morning Show Host at Mx24, Edma Ohemaa Lawer. The full-day conference also included a masterclass on Financial Planning. This session was facilitated by the co-founder of V&R Partners, Dr. Ibiene Ogolo.

We cannot state enough how important it is to keep your skin moisturized and nourished. Leaving your skin dry and chapped has many effects including infections, itching, wrinkles etc… However, inasmuch as you need to keep your skin moisturised, you need to use the right products on your skin. Honestly, not all store-bought body lotions are good for you. Some of these include parabens, a substance experts have linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues among other things. They also may contain phthalates which have been linked to reduced sperm count in men, early puberty in girls, a host of reproductive issues, as well as liver, kidney and lung damage. With this in mind, it will be best to always choose natural products for external use. In this article, you’ll learn how to make your own body butter at home using organic raw shea butter from Organic Trade and Investments. Things you’ll need: OTI Organic Borututu/ Ivory Raw/ /purified shea butter | Essential Oils (based on your choice) | Coconut Oi| Almond Oil Start off by melting ½ cup of shea butter, ¼ cup of coconut oil and ¼ cup of sweet almond oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Some oils combinations you can use: Spicy 12 drops ginger 6 drops cinnamon 6 drops nutmeg 6 drops clove Sweet 12 drops orange 6 drops ylang ylang 10 drops vanilla Tangy 20 drops orange 6 drops cinnamon 6 drops clove You can decide to add a twist to these based on your preference. However, be sure to research the benefits of each before using them. The butter whipping process Having already melted your shea butter, mix it well with the oils and leave it in a mixing bowl to chill in the refrigerator overnight. (Although this is recommended, you can chill it for a few hours if you do not have the time, what matters is the mixture is solidified enough to whip up). Once your mixture is solidified, whip it into a silky buttery state using a hand beater or stand mixer fitted with the whip. When you achieve the desired texture, transfer the butter into a storage jar with a lid. Voila! You have your organic homemade body butter. The homemade body butter may last a couple of months depending on how fast it is used. To prevent it from melting, especially if your room is usually warm, you can store it in the fridge. (NB: You need to label the jar to keep yourself and other members of your household from mistaking it for an edible paste.)

This is another post about skincare. Hold on though, this is not any regular article about another cleanser or chemical-based cream you need to buy (we are all for organic products here). You’ve probably stumbled upon the word ‘moringa’ also known as 'drumstick' somewhere. Well if you haven’t previously, now you have. This plant is known for working magic on the skin for centuries. You definitely should add OTI moringa leaf powder into your skincare routine because you have been missing out on its natural skin-enhancing properties. Here are 5 unarguable reasons you should get some moringa leaf powder and oil ASAP. 1. Gets rid of acne: Moringa oil and moringa pastes have been known to fight pimples and acne breakouts on the skin for ages. Although it may sound contradictory to use oil to fight oil-related skin problems it is actually effective. As for the leaves, all you need is to apply a paste made from it on your skin and leave it for a while before washing it off. Due to the anti-bacterial nature of moringa, using it frequently will keep your skin free from infections. 2. Enhances your complexion: Moringa is popular for its blemish removal properties as it helps in toning the skin. When applied consistently, the natural elements contained in the leaves help fade ugly dark spots. Use a paste of the leaves on your skin every morning and evening and watch the blemishes literally vanish over time. 3. Anti-ageing secret: Both moringa oil and moringa leaf powder are used to get rid of facial wrinkles and all other skin damages. The natural components in moringa keep your skin firm and tighten your pores. This leaves your skin looking fresher and younger naturally. 4. Moisturises the lips: Who doesn’t want supple lips? Moringa oil is a common ingredient in many lip care products around the world thanks to its moisturizing properties. Moringa oil penetrates the sensitive skin and rejuvenates the lip tissues, leaving them soft. You can use moringa oil as a lip gloss during the day or at night before bed. For maximum effect, scrub your lips before application. 5. Fighting toxins: Beauty is not only about the exterior. Clearly, whatever happens on the surface of the skin is a reflection of what is going on inside. That is why it is not enough to smear products on your skin in search of a magical transformation when the root cause of your skin problems are not tackled. Usually, pimples and acne breakouts may be signs of accumulated toxins in the blood. Consuming moringa seeds or moringa powder would help detoxify your blood, which will simultaneously reflect in the clearness and health of your skin. Despite these well-proven benefits of moringa, you need to consult a dermatologist before ingesting or applying any product for your skin health.

Historically, natural beeswax has always been a valuable ingredient for its versatile applications, which include culinary uses, such as food flavoring and food storage. When used on some type of fruit, natural beeswax prevents the loss of water while protecting them from gathering dust and from being scratched, bruised, or bitten by insects. In today's topic, we focus on the medicinal benefits of beeswax and how it is a natural ingredient in cosmetic products. Medicinal Benefits of Natural Beeswax Beeswax is used in the making of ointments and medicinal balms meant for treating scrapes, minor cuts, minor wounds, burns, and other abrasions. The anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties help to prevent bacteria from entering the skin through the broken or bruised areas by providing the skin with a layer of protection. Topically, Beeswax can also be used by people with severe allergies and other irritational discomforts like rosacea, skin redness, and eczema. Natural Beeswax - An Excellent Cosmetic Ingredient Beeswax is used in beauty products such as moisturizers, lip balms, and makeup. When used on the skin, Beeswax creates a hydrating, long-lasting barrier to protect it against environmental pollutants as well as conditions, soothes and calms the skin. Beeswax is also known to soothe itchiness and irritation, to nourish and soften dry, cracked areas, hence, making it ideal for use in lip balms. Used in hair products like pomade, natural beeswax contributes to the beautiful shine that promotes hair growth and sleekness.

By being a part of the upcoming OTI Fonio Webinar, you get to learn how this West African superfood is being rediscovered. That's not all, you will learn first-hand from health professionals and culinary experts the amazing benefits that can be derived from OTI Organic Fonio products. Here's the profile of one of the experts you should expect to learn from at the webinar. Cate Abraham (Mrs.) is a dynamic entrepreneur with significant experience in running multiple startup businesses. Some of her works include BackToEden Healthy Foods, Diaphoros Handcrafted Jewellery, Firstfruit Juices, and Seedab Engineering Ltd. She is currently the Founder and CEO of BackToEden Healthy Foods (BTE), a healthy food company committed to promoting healthy eating in Ghana and beyond - BTE is an authorized distributor of OTI Organic Fonio products. Cate is also a healthy food content creator with many food recipes that promote exciting organic food choices. She is graciously married with a lovely daughter, having over half a decade of experience in raising a successful family – raising ministry children and supporting them throughout their University Education. In addition to these, Cate provided home and professional support to her husband (Large Programmes / Project Controls Manager) and their family Engineering Business Team to successfully deliver: ◦ ENI Onshore Gas Receiving Facility under the Ghana Cape Three Points Development program in Sansule – 2017 to 2018. ◦ Tema Port Expansion Project – 2018 to 2019 – Tema Port has been named Best Airport / Port Project by ENR’s Global Best Projects Awards. ◦ Maraya Concert Hall in Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030 – The building sets the world record for being the World’s largest mirror-clad building – Guinness Book of Records, 2019. ◦ NEOM Smart City Development Program under Saudi Vision 2030 – the biggest development currently ongoing in the Middle East. Prior to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, she worked significantly as an Executive Assistant at CENIT Energy Limited, an Independent Power Producer in Ghana. Having over six years of experience in power plant administration and interfacing with major industry stakeholders, she left to start her own business fully in 2017. Cate is a marriage counselor with over five years’ experience in counseling and a talent coach in areas of startup businesses. She graduated from the University of Ghana in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Language and currently completing her LLB (Law Degree) from the University of London, UK. Meanwhile, as we gear towards the talked-about event scheduled for December 15, 2021, you might want to secure your spot by registering.

The founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Organic Trade and Investments (OTI), Esther Ama Asante, is set to speak at the upcoming Female Leaders & Entrepreneurs Conference (FLEC). She is expected to join a panel of other distinguished speakers from various industries to share her knowledge and experience as a female entrepreneur. The Meet-Up, which is an initiative of Compass Consulting Services is aimed at examining the various types of innovations and support that have helped Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in building back stronger. The women-centered event is scheduled to come off at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Ghana, on Monday, November 22, 2021. This year's event will be held under the theme; "Building resilience as a business strategy". Esther Asante will be part of a panel that will discuss and answer questions on the following topical areas: Agriculture | Manufacturing | Distribution & Retail |Finance | Media. Esther will be sharing her wealth of experience as one who has seen and done it all in the world of entrepreneurship and SMEs. Prior to her current occupation as CEO of Organic Trade & Investments, Esther was the Relocation Manager at Executive Relocations Africa, a subsidiary of AGS Movers, and the Quality Manager, Personal Assistant, and Commercial Manager at Swissport Ghana Limited (2015 to 2018). She spearheaded the digitalization of the operations management system of OTI, which currently integrates 12,000 farmers and 300 small-scale manufacturers across Africa. In 2018, she was awarded the Best Female E-commerce Entrepreneur award; the only woman to hold this award in Ghana. In March 2020, she was the only Ghanaian to be conferred the African Global Trade and Investment in Excellence (AGTIE) Award for Trade & Investment Facilitation Excellence. Esthy, as she is affectionately called, has attended several online and in-person conferences as a panelist. She was recently a lauded speaker and award-winner at the 2020 edition of the Global Women’s Summit. FLEC will host women who have built SMEs to share tips and knowledge on how to tackle challenges youth and women may face at the pre and post setup stage of their entrepreneurial ventures. They are expected to highlight technical innovations and knowledge that have provided assistance and helped them to build tools to withstand continued market uncertainty while positioning for stronger post-Covid. This event comes at a time when many businesses are still reeling from the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on economies. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, “The continent generates only 3.7 million jobs annually. For many women and youths, the informal sector is the default when it comes to employment in Africa- in other words, our talent pool is not adequately employed/ meaningfully engaged”. The Commission also noted that “entrepreneurship offers opportunities for the youth bulge in West African and the related high unemployment, especially of the young graduated aged between 15-29 whose unemployment rate is estimated to be high among young graduates aged 15 to 29. Unemployment rates for young graduates range from 9.5% (Ghana) to 50.2% (Guinea)”.

Moringa Oleifera is a plant experts love to call “a jack of all trades”. Moringa contains loads of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and moisturizing fatty acids. With its rich nutrient profile, it is no wonder it is an effective skin care agent. The best cosmetics producers know this that is why it is used in several face masks and creams. Moringa leaves are sun-dried and ground to a fine, green powder. This article will teach you how to make two different face masks for your skin using moringa powder. Things you need: *Moringa powder *Raw honey *Rosewater (dry skin)/ Witch hazel (oily skin) *Lemon juice *Water. Pour half a tablespoon of moringa powder into a container. Add a tablespoon of honey and rose water or witch hazel but half a tablespoon of lemon juice to it. Keep stirring the mixture and look out for consistency. Add water as needed to obtain a fairly thick and smooth paste. Apply the paste on your face in the morning and leave it on for about 10 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water. After drying your face with a clean towel, apply a small amount of moisturizer on your face, to get smooth and soft skin. DIY Moringa Facemask: Second Option This is a more simple mixture. Things you need: *Moringa powder *Milk *Lemon juice (optional) Pour half a teaspoon of moringa powder into a container. Add a tablespoon of milk and half a tablespoon of lemon juice if you want. Keep stirring the mixture and look out for consistency. Apply the paste on your face in the morning and leave it on for about 10 minutes, before washing off. After drying your face with a clean towel, apply a small amount of moisturizer on your face, to get smooth and soft skin. It is always a good idea to consult an expert before trying out a new regime or do a test patch to check if you are allergic to any substance. However, natural DIY remedies are usually much safer compared to heavy chemical-based products. Remember to practice moderation even as you use natural remedies because as the saying goes “too much of everything is bad”.

You don't want to miss out on the wealth of knowledge in store for you. Seasoned doctors, nutritionists, and health professionals are set to share all you need to know about Fonio flour and grains which are one of the major products here at OTI. One of the speakers on the bill is Akosua Konadu Yiadom. Akosua Konadu Yiadom is a passionate Registered Nutritionist, licensed to practice. Since 2012, she has been certified by UNICEF as Nutrition Advocate. She has a Nutrition Office with Ghana Health Service and Ridge Hospital. Also, Aphyra writes articles on various nutrition topics for Graphic Communications Group and Citi FM/TV’s website. At Citi TV, she doubles as the resident Nutritionist for their flagship morning TV show, where she shares her expert knowledge during the nutrition segment. In her private practice at Jubail Specialist Hospital, she has handled scores of nutrition-related health cases. Nutritionist Konadu Yiadom has devoted her life to working with people who need her knowledge the most - especially the delicate and vulnerable. Her work requires her to provide nutrition advice to people such as - pregnant women, lactating mothers, infants and children, and a host of others. Other areas within her jurisdiction include Tuberculosis patients, pregnancy and anemia, malnutrition for both inpatient and outpatient, ANC, postnatal, Neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric nutrition, HIV/AIDS patients, and child welfare clinics, and handling of concerns or cases of non-communicable diseases and all nutrition-related concerns. She loves all things nutrition and is ever ready to be at your service. Have you registered for the OTI Fonio Webinar yet? Do so now and tell a friend to do the same!

To ensure you get as much information on the benefits of OTI flour and grains as possible, we have put together a team of experts with varied experiences in various health fields to speak at the OTI Fonio Webinar event. Register now to secure your slot. Meet one of the speakers you'll be learning from at the upcoming webinar. Dr. Gaelle Ngaha Yossa is a Medical Doctor who graduated from Cameroon, where she is originally from. From there, she went to Laval University in Québec, Canada, where she specialized in Clinical and Fundamental Nutrition and was also certified in Healthy lifestyle adoption and Weight loss management. The doctor also obtained an MBA in Business Management from the same University. Gaelle currently works in Malaysia with some NGOs including Doctors Without Borders, to provide help for Rohingya refugees. She contributes to the Community Health Workers’ training aimed at empowering them with up-to-date medical knowledge to overcome the different challenges they might face during their visits. Together with other health professionals, she joins the fight against non-communicable diseases which are growing within the Rohingya community and around the world. Dr. Yossa works as a Nutritionist Consultant helping to put in place programs to decrease food insecurity within the communities that need it most. On the other hand, she works as a personal nutritionist for individuals who require guidance to live a healthy lifestyle. In addition to her sterling career as a doctor, she is also a public speaker, spreading the word about good nutrition and its benefits. As an entrepreneur and founder of Be-Unick, she aims to provide Africans with personalized tools to empower them in their journey to a sustainable healthier lifestyle. She hopes to achieve this with education supported by tangible tests such as the Nutrigenomics test and personalized nutritional recommendations. Be-Unick believes in the natural power of African foods and is involved in promoting it in all ways including education and consultation to fight obesity in Africa.

The Moringa tree is one of the miraculous plants that is cultivated in West Africa and mostly in Ghana. Packed with a number of essential vitamins, proteins, minerals and very rich in antioxidants, moringa powder offers a boost to a daily intake of nutrition and other nutrients. Let's find out what the top 4 health benefits are when it comes to this gluten-free natural herb; moringa leaf powder. Reduction of stress and fatigue: A study in the Research Journal of Pharmacology (2010) confirmed that the leaves of the moringa tree dried and ground into powder are powerful, natural adaptogens. Adaptogens are herbs that protect the body from the toxic effect of stress. The presence of iron and vitamin A in the powder is also essential for the reduction of stress and fatigue to enhance general health and performance. Skin: Moringa powder is an essential product for healthy, radiant skin. Vitamin E in the powder protects cells from oxidative stress and helps fight the signs of aging. The skin benefits of moringa powder are so exceptional that it protects, repairs, and prevents cell damage from unstable molecules that damage the collagen causing skin dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, and premature skin aging. Immunity: One of the best moringa benefits is its super immune-boosting powers. Moringa powder has many properties which are essential to maintaining a healthy immune system and very essential for helping our bodies shake off infections and illnesses. Strong Muscle Growth: Moringa powder contains protein and essential amino acids making it a good source for supporting the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. It also contains a high protein supply that also makes it particularly beneficial for vegans and vegetarians who struggle to get it. One can try shaking moringa powder into a smoothie for a post/pre-workout boost or simply sprinkling some vegetables for an easy way to increase protein intake and strengthen the muscles.

Beeswax is a natural substance secreted and generated by honey bees to develop their honeycombs. It comprises large fatty acids, hydrocarbons, and esters. The wax is mostly hard and breakable when cold but gets soft when exposed to human body temperature or heated. If kept in a safe and cool dry place, beeswax does not spoil or otherwise expire, thus making it potent to be continually used and reheated when necessary. Just like honey, Beeswax varies in colors depending on various factors related to the bees themselves such as the age of the bees and the region of the flower growth from which the honey is derived. Beeswax ranges in color: Yellow, White, and Absolute. Yellow Beeswax is the natural, unrefined wax for honeycomb. White Beeswax is the result of Yellow Beeswax undergoing the filtering and purifying process, while Absolute Beeswax is the result of treating Yellow Beeswax with Alcohol. The pollen, resin, and gum content in the originating honey determine the color of the Beeswax. The scent of both honey and wax is also affected by these elements. Beeswax is said and known to have many beauty and therapeutic properties. We will highlight the therapeutic benefits of natural beeswax in this first article, while subsequent blog posts will focus on the various uses of beeswax. Candle Making With Natural Beeswax - An Aromatherapy After a long stressful day, there is nothing so relaxing and healing than spending some time alone, while enjoying a warm bath in a bathtub filled with the aromatic scent of bath salts, and meditating while watching the flame of the beeswax candles illuminating your space. In aromatherapy, the lengthy and smokeless burn time makes Beeswax a valuable ingredient in aromatherapy candles. The candles also exude aroma honey- which ranges from sweet, floral, and fresh scent whiles eliminating airborne pollutants, such as bacteria, allergens, and odors. To have an enhanced fragrance, essential oils can be added during the production of these candles. Furthermore, beeswax candles are believed to promote overall physical and mental well-being reducing stress, decreasing physical pain, and regulating blood pressure.