Queen Sakina MumuniSAKINA MUMUNI, a 35-year-old farmer from Bawku Municipal, has dedicated her life to empowering vulnerable women and individuals in her community.
Inspired by the struggles of women who lost their husbands and livelihoods during the recent Bawku chieftaincy conflict, Sakina began training women in peanut butter production, cooking oil extraction, and rice processing.
Through her project, Sakina provides training, raw materials, and financial support to help women start sustainable small businesses and promote self-reliance. She has also established a village savings and loans system, allowing beneficiaries to access affordable financing for business growth or urgent needs.
Over 50 women, mostly widows and unskilled/unemployed women have been trained and empowered to start their businesses. Many have improved their living conditions, affording essentials like food, education, and healthcare. The project has reduced poverty, created opportunities, and instilled confidence and hope in beneficiaries.
Sakina’s efforts have not only lifted families out of poverty but also strengthened the community’s social and economic fabric.
Her work is a testament to the power of dedication and innovative approaches in making a positive impact. Despite the impact of her project, Sakina Mumuni faces significant challenges, including the lack of a dedicated training facility and limited resources.
Working in a conflict zone presents unique issues, such as security concerns and limited access to modern machinery.
Some of the challenges include the lack of dedicated training facilities, and limiting the number of women that can be trained. Limited resources, including financial and material support for raw materials and business setups. Security concerns and restrictions on mobility in conflict zones and the absence of modern machinery for processing peanut butter, oil, and rice.
Sakina hopes to train more women in peanut butter production, oil extraction, and rice processing, reaching neighboring communities, creating a training center for women to learn new skills and access materials and mentorship, and enhancing savings and loan programmes with digital tools for easier access and tracking.
Assembly Member for Gingande, Bawku Municipal, David Adoliba, praised Sakina’s dedication and innovative approach, saying she is a “selfless leader” who has created job opportunities and empowered women in the community, hence she deserves the MTN Heroes of Change nomination.
He commends her for adding value to her products and making them appealing to buyers, thereby contributing to the local economy. Sakina’s work is a testament to her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of women and vulnerable individuals. Despite the challenges, she remains dedicated to her mission, inspiring others to effect positive change even in times of conflict.
Two women, Ayishatu Ibrahim and Beatrice Amara, share their heartfelt testimonials about the impact of Sakina Mumuni’s efforts on their lives.
“Meeting Queen Sakina changed my life completely. She trained me freely in processing groundnut paste, palm oil, and local rice, which helped me earn an income and support my family. Along with raw materials and financial education, I have learned to save and grow my earnings effectively. Now, I can provide for my children, invest in their education, and feel more confident and independent” Ayishatu Ibrahim said.
Ayishatu’s life as a widow was filled with struggles and uncertainty after losing her husband in 2009 due to the conflict. However, Queen Sakina’s intervention gave her the hope and support she needed to start over.
“She is a great woman. Someone who cares for the well-being of her subjects. She is patient, understanding, and loving.
Unlike other traditional leaders, she is out there helping community members during these challenging times in Bawku. She has been our savior, helping us fend for our families” Beatrice Amara, 71-year-old Widow said.
Through Queen Sakina’s efforts, Beatrice and many other widows now earn a living selling processed rice, groundnut paste, and cooking oil. Beatrice is grateful for the training and support, which has enabled her to feed her children and grandchildren and live a more comfortable life.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke
