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Last month we sat down with Organic Trade and Investments' CEO; Esther Ama Asante and discussed how her company and her team managed to mitigate the many challenges during COVID-19. She unveils some of the measures Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) put in place to ensure that the Company takes advantage of the situation to boost sales, to reposition the brand on the local market, as well as to reaffirm and expand their presence in the international market. - If you had 20 seconds to describe your business, how would you do that? Organic Trade & Investments is a woman-owned agribusiness, ecommerce and export trading company registered in Ghana with the aim of promoting the use of organic and natural products while supporting small scale farmers and producers who practice sustainable organic farming across Africa with a focus on Ghana in order to protect biodiversity and improve people’s livelihoods. - Your e-commerce business has grown during COVID-19. How have you managed to do so? Pre-COVID-19, OTI had already put some measures in place; such as restructuring its internal control system, designing a sustainable operations system, connecting with all key partners (farmers, and small scale manufacturers), building bridges (partnerships with even our competitors), onboarding new skills / talents to help us analyze the day to day data that we have been collecting from our website or social media pages, and also define some of the loopholes in our operations and quickly adopt corrective action plans to mitigate those challenges. We were able to implement our internal emergency response plan way ahead of time (back in December 2019). The change in our approach and behavior in doing business due to our understanding of the market and its needs and we were able to respond ahead of time in the e-Commerce business sector. While everyone was busy with the traditional way of doing business, we were already online. So, that gave us an edge over our competitors when the crisis broke. Having no other option than to shop online, people would turn to us. It was just a matter of time for people to understand that doing business online is the new ‘normal way of living’. That’s the advantage. - Give 3 tips to other entrepreneurs to increase sales / manage work during difficult times 1. Capacity building – never stop learning and developing your capacity and that of your team members. There are always new things coming up and being invented every now and then – the world is fast changing and if you are unable to catch up on those new trends then you will be out of business. I have enrolled my team on the ITC e-learning academy platform, we attend almost all the coaching and training programs organized by ITC / SheTrades (at no cost at all). Knowledge is power. 2. Corporate Management – Team management - organize your team well (learn to trust and delegate projects and tasks / KPIs to your team members); – Clients management – Engage your customers on what really matter to them, understand their requirements, be responsive, and customize your products or services if possible. You build a sustainable relationship with your customers. Customer retention is one of the problems most SMEs faces. You should use a project management tool to organize your meetings, plan your projects, track progress, and communicate better with all your stakeholders. Find a way to simplify your workflow on one work platform or synchronizing your emails, calendar, files, etc. 3. Data integration and data analysis – this should be part of your company’s culture, your everyday team performance / business assessment plan. How well you are doing online, identify what you are doing wrong or others are doing better than you and adjust yourself. Study and understand the behavior of your customers. SEO techniques, Google MyBusiness, Google Trends, Google Analytics are all tools you should use to analyze the performance of your business (notably for online business). - What is the strangest marketing experiment you ever did? Facebook campaign. That was in 2018. We then wanted to test the market with our new product – the OTI extra virgin coconut oil. We spent about 25 USD and the campaign ran for 2-3 weeks. We have over 200,000 viewers for that products and 75% engagement worldwide. That put a lot of pressure on the production team. And I received an email from the production manager to slow down with the campaign because the factory operators couldn’t cope with the orders that were coming in. That was funny. A mistake not to repeat though. That could break your brand. You always have to consult your production team or your supplier to know their production capacity before you commit yourself in any king of activities.

Organic Natural Unrefined Baobab Oil is a superior nourishing oil extracted from the dried seeds of the Adansonia Digitata (baobab) fruit, grown from the baobab trees of Ghana. The baobab tree has long been cherished for its versatile use in health remedies, beauty products and food items; it is nicknamed the tree of life because not only does its fruits and seeds have enormous health benefits, a single tree can live for over 500 years. Organic baobab oil is a high-quality natural unrefined oil that packs a health punch: it is beneficial for dental care, skin care and hair care. The health benefits of organic baobab oil on the skin and hair are tremendous due to its marvelous healing and rejuvenating properties, making it a popular potent oil in the beauty industry and a key ingredient in cosmetic products. Packed with essential omega fatty acids like linoleic, sterculic and malvalic acids, as well as vitamins A, D, C, E and K, these components work well together to give organic baobab oil health properties that are beneficial for the skin, hair and teeth: Organic Baobab Oil - As a Natural Moisturizer or Conditioner for Hair and Skin Due to its minerals and vitamins, organic baobab oil makes a great addition to skin care products and beauty routines to nourish the skin. As a superfood for the skin, it furnishes it with these nutrients to improve the skin’s texture and elasticity. Additionally, organic baobab oil can serve as a natural cleanser for all skin types and it is exceptionally useful for oily skin because the linoleic acid in organic baobab tree help control the skin’s oil production. Filled with vitamin C, a natural anti-aging nutrient, organic baobab oil can greatly boost collagen production in the body to help you maintain a youthful glow. Also, it can alleviate irritation caused by skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema. The omega-3 fatty acids in the oil may provide healing to the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture to help soothe such skin conditions. Organic baobab oil is a superb home remedy for stretch marks. Consistent application of the oil on affected areas may diminish the appearance and depth of stretch marks, scars as well as other skin blemishes such as wrinkles and fine lines. Moreover, organic baobab oil can be a great addition to your haircare regime: the omega-3 fatty acid in baobab is effective against dry, weak and brittle hair, leaving your silky-soft and voluminous. It can be used as a hair mask or leave-in conditioner to achieve this effect. Organic Baobab Oil - To Boost Dental Health Enhance your dental health with organic baobab oil. It can be used to treat common oral conditions such as swollen and infected gums, as well as gingivitis. You can get rid of pain or inflammation by massaging the oil directly onto the affected part of your gums. Purchase organic baobab oil from our e-store and experience its remarkable health benefits. It can also be obtained from our authorized distributors.

If you do not know about our super neem oil birthed in the luxuriant vegetations of Africa, it’s about time you do! The use of the Neem Tree dates back to ancient times and its medicinal uses have been held in high esteem. OTI Organic Neem Oil comes in varied colours such as yellowish brown, greenish brown, bright red or dark brown and is rich in natural properties such as vitamins E and C, linoleic and oleic acids etc. which make it a potent antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory ingredient that can be used in lotions, medicines, insecticides, hair care products, pest control products. OTI Organic Neem Oil is packaged to give you the following benefits: OTI Organic Neem Oil is a must-have addition to your cosmetic collection. Conditioning your hair with OTI Neem Oil can do wonders for your hair health and prevent hair loss. It can be used as an ingredient for hair masks, natural shampoos, conditioners and treatments. You can add a few drops to your shampoo or combine with active ingredients for hair nourishment. Additionally, due to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, it cures bacterial and fungal infections that cause dandruff. Loaded with vitamins and fatty acids, OTI Organic Neem Oil is beneficial for the skin and excellent to use on dry skin as it moisturizes it, leaving the skin smooth and supple. Need a solution for skin pigmentation? OTI Organic Neem Oil is your one-stop remedy. Consistent application on affected areas helps to reduce skin pigmentation, revealing your beautiful natural tone. Due to its effective anti-inflammatory properties, it can also be used to alleviate inflammation and irritation (itching and scratching) caused by skin eczema, wart and psoriasis. Unlike chemical-laden products that have the tendency to be harsh on the skin and cause more irritation, OTI Organic Neem Oil is a natural alternative which is gentle on the skin when it comes to treating acne. Long exposure of the skin to harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun can harm the collagen layer under the skin and this can lead to premature aging of the skin. Packed with essential nutrients, OTI Neem Oil is the panacea for skin damage caused by UV exposure. It can reduce redness and burning and protect the skin from further damage, thereby, promoting youthful appearance. It contains chemicals like phytochemicals which make it medicinal. It is a great addition to your diet because of its detoxification properties, it eliminates excess toxins, salts, fat and water from the body. Moreover, it can improve your oral health because it possesses antibacterial advantages that are useful for dental care. Applying small doses directly to the gums can give you rapid relief from gingivitis and other infections that affect the teeth and gums, as well as give you fresh breath. OTI Organic Neem Oil is available on sale in our e-Store and can also be sourced from our authorized distributors.

Extracted from the nuts of shea trees birthed in the fecund soils of Tamale, OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter is a handmade Grade A shea butter which is in its natural and purest form; thus, highly concentrated with vitamins, minerals and other natural properties. As a wonderful gift of nature, OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter is a wonder addition to skin and haircare routine. Its moisturizing and healing properties are beneficial for the skin and hair. Its buttery easy-to-spread and easy-to-penetrate consistency make it ideal for varied uses on the face, lips, body and hair. OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter is a nourishing emollient that can be applied directly onto the skin and hair or added to other ingredients for cosmetic formulations such as body scrubs, soaps, lotions, shaving cream and lip balms. It does not only possess moisturizing properties; it also deposits anti-inflammatory and anti-aging fatty acids into the skin. Additionally, it transforms weak, frizzy and thinned hair into healthy and soft, making your hair happy. OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter can be added to your daily beauty regime in diverse ways to create magic for your skin and hair: To use it as a moisturizer, you can simply apply a small amount of shea butter and rub it over the areas that are dry, such as the hands, elbows, knees and feet. Additionally, it is a great moisturizer for the face; you can scoop a little and apply on your face before wearing make-up. OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter is loaded with vitamins, thus, it aids in cell regeneration and circulation which help to minimize stretch marks and cellulite. You can scoop some of the shea butter and apply and massage it in, onto the affected areas. For best results, use daily. To get rid of eye bags, you should apply it under your eyes. To make your hair softer, healthier and beautiful, scoop some OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter and massage it onto your hair, from the scalp to the ends, then cover your hair with a shower cap or headwrap. Wait for 20-30minutes to allow the butter to penetrate deeply then wash and rinse hair mask out. OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter can be added to beeswax and coconut oil to make a lip balm and to do this, set up a double-boiler or fill a large cooking pot with water and place a large bowl on it; make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Boil the water. Then proceed to put the beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil into the double boiler or the large bowl and melt them; for even mixture, stir the ingredients gently and often. You can consider some few drops of essential oil like the neem oil to give it a kick. Transfer the mixture into a small container with a tight-fitting lid and allow it to harden. To use as a face mask, add OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter to a teaspoon of raw honey and few drops of essential oil and mix together. Wash your face with a warm water first then apply the mixture on your face evenly. Leave mask on for 10 – 15 minutes. Wash your face with warm water to complete the process. OTI Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter is available on sale in our e-Store and can also be sourced from our authorized distributors.

Organic Trade & Investments is delighted to announce that its CEO, Ms. Esther Ama Asante has been selected as one of the speakers at the virtual Global Women Business Summit 2020. The summit brings together women experts to provide a global perspective to the discussion on the strategies for increased participation of women in business. Her session which is to come off on Friday, November 27, 2020 focuses on the topic, “Women in Leadership”. “I am honoured to be selected as one of the speakers at such a distinguished summit. The Global Women Business Summit is aligned to our mission, which is to create more business opportunities for women and equip them with the necessary knowledge that will enable them to emerge as industry giants,” Ms. Esther Ama Asante said. The Global Women Business Summit 2020 is a programme instituted by the Confederation of the Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CIMSME) with the objective to promote and support women entrepreneurship across the globe. Focusing on the theme, “Business Inclusiveness & Sustainability for Global Economic”, the summit offers a global platform to influence policies and foster partnerships that increase women’s participation of and impact on global business. The summit, which is scheduled to come off from November 27, 2020 to November 29, 2020 will also feature other panel discussions aiming to activate dialogues on how women can scale up, diversify and expand internationally. Among the growing list of speakers are women who are CEOs, founding directors, human resource experts, policy makers and consultants from across the globe; they will engage over 5,000 attendees, educate and interact with women entrepreneurs and delegates across the length and breadth of the world. Moderated panel conversations with these industry kingpins will occur daily during the period of the three-day summit. Ms. Asante has led the creation and growth of Organic Trade & Investments as a competitive Agribusiness and eCommerce brand on the international market, thus, attendees of her session would be afforded the opportunity to be informed and have relevant but unasked questions on the influencing factors for successful female leadership answered. “It is inspiring and refreshing to meet and interact with many passionate and like-minded women leaders of businesses. I believe this summit will enable Ms. Asante to share valuable industry insights on the makings of a woman leader,” remarked Ms. Ellen Wilson, Head of Sales at Organic Trade & Investments. Organic Trade and Investments invites all of you to tune in on Friday, November 27, 2020 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm for this very insightful virtual session completing the form.

What do you think will happen to your skin when you are exposed to harsh elements and conditions for long periods of time? It can become damaged, right? OTI African Black Soap is the solution for that – considered as nature’s finest, it is safe for all skin types and can also be used as a shampoo bar to strengthen the hair. Organic Trade & Investments is all about sourcing the best, most effective organic products for our skin and this is why the product has been made to be a one-stop choice that will enrich your body with the necessary nutrients to keep it flawless and ravishing and give you a feel-good factor, like basking in the nature and lushness of the earth. OTI African Black Soap is the perfect go-to for moisture, cleansing and healing of skin ailments such as acne and eczema. OTI natural African Black Soap is the ultimate beauty buy you need in your bathroom and unlike the chemical-laden soaps you find on the market, it is handmade from plant-based ingredients which include neem oil, shea butter, aloe vera gel, and potash all sourced from Ghana. As a palm-oil free product, OTI natural African Black Soap can be included in your daily beauty routine in varying ways to enhance the skin and hair: To use it as an exfoliant, you can simply rub the bar in between your hands and apply it directly on your skin gently. Also, you may consider rubbing it on a soft washcloth. The same method may be employed if you want to use the product as a face wash, except that it should be applied on the face and neck. You can also use OTI African Black Soap as a detox face mask; to do this, dissolve a few small pieces of the soap in hot water and add a teaspoon of honey, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Adding a few drops of essential oil will give the mixture a kick, however, OTI natural African Black soap already contains neem tree oil, which is key in promoting a healthy skin. Apply and let it sit on your skin for about 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water. OTI natural African black soap can also be used as a shampoo bar to keep your hair healthy and shiny. You can wet the soap, rub it between your palms and rub the lather to your hair slowly till your hair is soaked with it. Massage your scalp for about 3 to 5 minutes then leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse your hair with water to complete the process. Alternatively, you can grate or shave the soap into a jar and add warm water to it. The amount of water to be added depends on how thick or thin you want the shampoo to be. Allow the soap to dissolve then transfer the content into an applicator or spray bottle. Apply the shampoo to your scalp and rinse. OTI African Black Soap is now available on sale in our eStore and can also be sourced from our authorized distributors.

Following extensive market research and clients’ constant inquiries to purchase the Company’s original products in smaller quantities for personal consumption, Organic Trade & Investments (OTI) is debuting an impressive range of organic products under the company’s own label, ‘#OTI’. Effective November 18, 2020, customers will be able to source at a retail price, four of the Company’s most popular articles from its local distributor; KAB Designs and Trading Enterprise. Organic Trade and Investments’ Managing Director, Ms. Esthy Asante, comments on the products launch move: “When we made the decision to create a premium and trustworthy OTI Brand almost a year ago, we knew that would mean staying up to date in an ever-evolving Agribusiness, eCommerce industry on production techniques and marketing strategies. We have therefore partnered with some of the most innovative and dedicated women-owned organizations and small-scale manufacturers to come up with this product range to meet the needs of our ever-growing local customers.” OTI products are all handmade, using traditional manufacturing methods to maintain the authenticity of the brand. The targeted products to be distributed under the brand’s name include; the extra virgin coconut oil, the natural African black soap, the natural cocoa butter, and the two varieties of unrefined raw shea butters; the ivory and the borututu, commonly known as yellow shea butter. “OTI prides itself in sourcing the crème de la crème of ingredients to create products with quality and effectuality in mind,” says Mr. Kwadwo Agyei-Boateng, the Managing Director of KAB Designs and Trading Enterprise. “I personally have been using Organic Trade and Investments’ 100% natural products for quite some time now and I can ascertain the high quality of the articles. We are certain our customers will love the new additions,” he adds. What makes the new products unique is their superior quality that will give customers value for their money. For instance, the two varieties of unrefined raw shea butters (the unrefined ivory shea butter and the unrefined borututu root -yellow- shea butter) are excellent for treating all kinds of skin diseases, leaving the skin soft, youthful and flawless; the natural African Black Soap has antibacterial properties and numerous skin care benefits, especially the protection of the skin against the harshness of the sun; the natural cocoa butter serves as an excellent ingredient in the production of chocolate, and OTI extra virgin coconut oil can be used for cooking, applied on skin and hair. Ms. Ekuwa Saighoe, the Communications Assistant for Organic Trade and Investments expresses her joy over the launch of OTI new product range: “I am thrilled about our new products and I believe our customers will enjoy using them as much as we have enjoyed creating them.” Clients are advised to contact the Company’s authorized distributor on the contact number, +233 / (0) 24 661 7495 for further inquiries.

Organic Trade and Investments expresses joy and shows excitement to one of its cherished customers, Decokraft, upon receiving confirmation on the client's company’s nomination for the Artisanal Value Addition Company of the Year at the 2nd Ghana Cocoa Awards. Ms. Josephine Ekuwa Saighoe, Communications Assistant for Organic Trade & Investments, reacts to the news; “at Organic Trade & Investments, we boast a blue-chip clientele in the culinary, chocolate, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, and take pride in the role we play in their success stories.” DecoKraft, who become a client of the Company in 2020, specializes in the production of handmade chocolates, with the locally manufactured natural cocoa butter sourced from Organic Trade & Investments, being one of the key ingredients. Since its inception in 2015, DecoKraft has given the public, reasons to patronize healthy locally made chocolates. Organic Trade & Investments’ Managing Director, Ms. Esthy Asante, also commended DecoKraft: “DecoKraft has set the standard for innovation and creativity in the confectionary industry under the leadership of Ms. Akua Obenewaa Donkor and the nomination of her company at the 2020 Ghana Cocoa Awards is a testament to the skill, originality and vision of DecoKraft.” Organic Trade & Investments produces and exports organic products made from Africa. It has the vision to encourage consumers to buy organically grown and produced products and to make choices that will improve their health and protect the environment. Commenting on Organic Trade and Investments' business model, Ms. Akua Obenewaa Donkor, the CEO of DecoKraft says: "I admire [Organic Trade and Investments]'s customer service. This is a good way of keeping us with you for a long time." Esthy encourages other women-owned businesses to come together and elevate each other for the betterment of their businesses and facilitating social development. There are foreseeable plans for DecoKraft and Organic Trade and Investments to extend their collaboration and establishing a lifelong partnership.

On November 5th, Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) posted on their social media pages that the Company will be participating in what is described as “the biggest virtual gathering of the food and beverage industry in 2020" Fi Europe CONNECT. The two-week virtual fair is bringing more than 27,000 visitors together and will be hosting over 1,700 suppliers expected to showcase a little bit over 15,000 varieties of food and beverage ingredients from all corners of the world. Organic Trade and Investments, who is a beneficiary-member of the SheTrades in Commonwealth project since 2017, has expressed appreciation to the International Trade Center for their continuous support: “OTI is grateful for this opportunity,” says Josephine Ekuwa Saighoe, the newly appointed Communications Assistant. “This will help increase our brand awareness and showcase the superior functionality of our highly sought-after organic products that are produced for culinary, confectionary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies,” adds Saighoe. There has been a call for global distributors, exporters, importers, traders, and retailers to grasp their free tickets online and to stop by Organic Trade and Investments' organic pavilion for business engagements with OTI Representatives who will be at the virtual fair from November 23 to December 4. “We hope to network with other like-minded businesses for mutually beneficial partnerships. There are a couple of business meetings scheduled already for week one of the event,” unveils Josephine Ekuwa Saighoe. OTI certified organic Shea butter for food grade and OTI gluten-free white Fonio grains are on display at Fi Europe CONNECT 2020. The Company has stated that though their exhibitor’s subscription package allows for a maximum of two F&B ingredients in the product list, prospect clients are however welcome to make enquiries on any other products on sale in OTI eStore or listed in the Company's products datasheet. #FiEuropeCONNECT2020 #OrganicTradeInvestments #FoodIngredientEurope #FoodFairEurope2020

Ms. Josephine Ekuwa Saighoe is a young and dynamic Communications Professional who brings with her the experience of developing and implementing communications strategies. She has taken advantage of the opportunities of experiences gained in the corporate world to make certain of continuous growth. Josephine holds a B.A and an Mphil both in English from University of Cape Coast and University of Ghana respectively. She joins the OTI family to manage internal and external communications and devise optimal approaches to reach target audiences. Ekuwa, as she likes to be called, is an avid reader, a football enthusiast, and likes to meet new people. "We are happy to welcome Ekuwa. Her appointment is quite timely, says Esthy Asante, CEO of Organic Trade and Investments. On November 2, 2020 Josephine Ekuwa Saighoe joins a team of dedicated professionals who work assiduously to promote Ghanaian and African organic products internationally. Organic Trade and Investments believes that Ekuwa's depth of experience and knowledge will complement the Company's growing team of professionals.

Ghana is one of the countries in West Africa that grows and harvests Fonio. Unlike other countries in the region, Ghana grows the 'white' Fonio, only. The texture and appearance is similar to garri, couscous or quinoa. But unlike quinoa, Fonio contains more amino acids, which is good for pregnant women. Gradually –and finally – the world is getting to know about and appreciate Fonio, once again. Known as the ‘Grain of Life’ or the ‘Hungry Rice,’ Fonio is the smallest and one of the oldest grown and harvested grains throughout West Africa. The grain, which used to be part of the diet of West Africans in the 1970’s became very unpopular –for whichever reason –in the mid 1990’s. Fonio is among the 25 forgotten crops, which is now being rediscovered for its many health benefits. Naturally 100% gluten-free, Fonio is full of Vitamin B and rich in calcium, magnesium, and zinc. It helps strengthen hair and nails, and build strong bones and teeth, and controls diabetes. It also provides energy, detoxes the liver, and prevents anemia. Containing a significant amount of fiber, the ‘Grain of Life’ reduces constipation and bloat. Fonio improves heart health, as it is a low homocysteine food. Ghana is one of the countries in West Africa that grows and harvests Fonio. Unlike other countries in the region, Ghana grows the ‘white’ Fonio, only. The texture and appearance is similar to garri, couscous or quinoa. But unlike quinoa, Fonio contains more amino acids, which is good for pregnant women. Fonio is very easy to prepare. The Fonio grain can be prepared as a breakfast cereal (porridge) or as a principal meal (rice or couscous) – it is usually accompanied with vegetable stews or spicy sauce. Fonio can also be used in salads or eaten as a side dish. The Fonio grain is milled into flour, which is often mixed with wheat flour for baking. It is also proven that the indigenous people of the Northern part of Ghana have always used Fonio grain to brew beer. Below is a flowchart of how Organic Trade & Investments processes its Fonio paddy grains into a nutritious precooked Fonio. You can buy your 1kg pack of precooked Fonio or Fonio flour online.

We are pleased to inform you that our buyer in Tanzania has taken delivery of her consignment this week, making it possible for direct individual customers located in Tanzania to acquire some of Organic Trade and Investments’ products at a retail price. Available Products: Þ Certified organic unrefined raw shea butter Þ African black soap Þ Pure yellow beeswax Þ Natural cocoa butter. Contact OTI Retailer in Tanzania: OLIVE ENTERPRISES DAR ES SALAAM TEL: +255 / (0)65 870 1702