Background of Development Frontiers Women Cooperatives (DFWC)
Development Frontiers Women Cooperative (DFWC) is a multipurpose association of women farmers, shea collectors and butter and gari processors founded in 2010 in the East Gonja district in the Savannah region of Ghana. It is comprised of over three thousand (3000) women in groups in thirty-five (35) communities. Although the cooperatives’ initial groups were solely drawn from East Gonja district, it has currently expanded to include Zabzugu, Mion and Karaga districts in the northern region.
DFWC emanated as women group beneficiaries of a number of interventions carried out in the past by Development Frontiers, a local NGO based in Salaga in the East Gonja district. Following the implementation of different livelihood activities and advocacy issues in the East Gonja district and four (4) others districts (Zabzugu District, Mion District, North East Gonja and Karaga Districts), the beneficiary groups decided to form an umbrella cooperative with the objective of fostering collective action to improve market access and bargaining power as well as influence local policies and cultural practices through advocacy.
Our Vision: The vision of DFWC is a sustainable and equitable society that empowers rural women to achieve economic and social justice and to actively participate in community development.
Our Mission: To champion the economic and social transformation of rural women through collective action.
Core Values
Cooperatives are based on the values of self help, self responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In line with this, DFWC members strongly uphold the following values;
- Co-creation
- Team work
- Equality and inclusiveness
- Empowerment
- Transparency
- Honesty
- Social responsibility
- Self-Help and caring for each other
Safeguards
DFWC strives to create a safe and inclusive environment for all members and stakeholders, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion or physical ability. The cooperative works to promote a culture of respect and tolerance among members and stakeholders. As a result, the cooperative does not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination or violence. Consequently, the cooperative continually provides training and education to members on safety and security best practices