The Journey of Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) – Integrity over Convenience (Edition 2)

This publication forms part of an ongoing series documenting the founding journey of Organic Trade & Investments (OTI). In Edition 1, readers were introduced to the formative challenges encountered by Esthy, notably a critical incident in which a consignment of shea butter shipped to Egypt arrived in compromised condition. The supplier’s refusal to provide either replacement or refund underscored the vulnerabilities inherent in international trade absent rigorous safeguards.

For those who have not yet engaged with the opening chapter, we recommend revisiting Edition 1: Introduction to contextualize the narrative.

This second edition advances the account, examining how lessons drawn from that setback informed the development of uncompromising standards and resilience—principles that would later crystallize into the foundation of OTI.

Integrity Tested, Integrity Proven

Following the supplier’s refusal to assume responsibility for the spoiled shipment, Esthy confronted the reality of a partner devoid of accountability. The client, understandably frustrated and uncertain, required reassurance. Determined to uphold her word, Esthy promised to replace the consignment of one metric ton at no cost to the buyer, guaranteeing that the new delivery would meet the highest standards of quality.

The situation demanded both composure and resolve. Though furious at the injustice, Esthy remained calm, convinced that a solution existed. Losing money was secondary; the true challenge lay in sourcing shea butter from a reliable producer, and rebuilding trust with her first international client—a trust that had been shaken but not irreparably lost.

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For three days, Esthy devoted herself entirely to the matter, even requesting leave from her employer to focus on resolving the crisis. She turned to a regional manager from the original supplier, who, disillusioned himself, revealed his intention to resign and establish his own enterprise.

He became a critical ally.

Together, they resolved to bypass the unreliable company and work directly with the women producers in northern Ghana, whose artisanal knowledge of shea butter was unmatched, though largely informal and unstandardized.

Recommended Article: How Is OTI's Shea Butter Handcrafted?

The facilities they toured were rustic, and consistency was far from guaranteed. While her new partner assessed credibility among the women, Esthy concentrated on designing internal control systems to stabilize quality. She kept the client informed, acknowledging the failure of the previous supplier while assuring him that corrective measures were underway. A two‑week deadline was set to resolve the matter.

How is OTI's artisanal unrefined shea butter produced

Within two days, a group of eight women from Tamale—aptly named “the town of shea” (Tama meaning shea, Le meaning town)—were identified as reliable producers. Their samples impressed with quality, though they lacked certificates of analysis. Time was short, and Esthy decided to proceed, confident that their artisanal butter could not be worse than the rejected batch. She submitted the samples to the Ghana Standards Authority for testing, despite the three‑to‑four‑week timeline being incompatible with her urgent schedule.

I chose integrity over convenience—reassuring the buyer, personally financing a replacement shipment, and forging direct partnerships with rural women producers in Tamale.

Financing the replacement shipment required personal sacrifice. At the time, shea butter sold for 8 GHS per kilogram. Esthy offered 12 GHS, recognizing the laborious process behind artisanal production. The women, moved by her predicament, agreed to accelerate the order by expanding their team from eight to twelve. Within five working days, production was complete: forty boxes of 25 kilograms each, packaged to specification under her partner’s supervision, and dispatched to Accra.

Costs were shared. Esthy covered production, delivery, and export clearance, while her new ally assumed responsibility for air freight logistics. In her words:

In times of storms, God will always bring you an angel.

This partnership proved providential.

Photographs of the freshly produced butter were sent to the client, who responded with cautious optimism, but he was visibly moved by Esthy’s transparency and determination to resolve the matter. Recognizing the integrity behind her actions and the personal sacrifices she had made, he offered to assume responsibility for the import clearance costs, signaling both his appreciation and his willingness to give the new shipment a fair chance. Within three working days of delivery, his verdict arrived:

“This is the type of shea butter I had been looking for. I was not expecting lesser from you. You are indeed a lady of integrity, and I want to keep working with you.”

The client’s affirmation brought an immense sense of relief. For Esthy, the ordeal had been a test of endurance, integrity, and faith. She felt profoundly grateful to everyone who had stood by her in navigating the crisis—from the women producers in Tamale who labored tirelessly to meet the urgent order, to the business ally who shared in the financial burden, and to the client himself who extended trust once more. Above all, she recognized the kindness of God in orchestrating support at the very moment it was most needed. What had begun as a devastating setback was transformed into a testimony of resilience and providence. Her faith, already strong, was deepened further, affirming that integrity and perseverance, when coupled with divine grace, can turn even the most daunting challenges into foundations for future success.

Shea Tree

Artisanal unrefined shea butter producer

unrefined shea butter in a box

Yet even with the immediate crisis resolved, Esthy recognized that the road ahead was far from simple. The experience had exposed the realities of an informal and unstructured sector, where artisanal producers labored tirelessly without standardized systems or fair remuneration. Determined to bring order, dignity, and sustainability to the ecosystem of shea butter production, she resolved to pursue reforms that would improve the wellbeing of these communities while ensuring consistency and credibility in international trade.

The question remained: was she ready? In moments of quiet reflection, Esthy surrendered her thoughts and plans to her Creator, drawing strength from faith as she contemplated the magnitude of the task before her. She had identified the systemic challenges—lack of quality assurance, inadequate recognition of women’s labor, and fragile supply chains—and envisioned solutions rooted in sustainable structures. What had begun as a personal struggle to restore trust now evolved into a mission: to transform adversity into a foundation for lasting change.

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As this chapter concludes, the journey is only beginning. Stay tuned for Edition 3, where we will recount how Organic Trade & Investments (OTI) was formally established as a registered company, and how its standardization initiatives were designed to ensure that every actor in the supply chain—from rural producers to international buyers—benefits from systems built on transparency, quality, and dignity.