The Benson Institute highlights an area that
they plan to improve through agronomy and nutrition.
by Katy M. Aldean.
The Ezra Taft Benson Agriculture and Food Institute began work in
Okwenya, Ghana, two years ago. The residents are poor subsistence
farmers who have experienced hunger and malnutrition and have few
resources to facilitate advanced education and improvement. On their
farms, they practice outdated techniques, but with help from the
Benson Institute, much is being done. Benson Institute Ghana
administrator, Sarah Adjei, in interviewing residents of Okwenya,
reports nothing but high praises concerning the Benson Institute.
Lessons taught in schools about life skills by interns have “whet
the appetites of the children to go into farming, which hitherto was
considered an occupation for illiterates,” reports Emmanuel
Sackitey, who enthusiastically heads the school. Sackitey notes that
interaction with Benson Institute interns has built confidence among
the students, and many have improved their grades and behavior. He
hopes that the programs will continue since he sees only positive
results coming from the Institute’s care in teaching. Mr. Badai, the
national mobilization officer, said, “(The Benson Institute) has
helped in educating our children. Those who did not want to go to
school now want to be in school. It is good to see the children
practice at home what they learn.”
Badai also praised the Institute for its help in improving
sanitation through a public-based water system. Realizing that the
absence of sanitational facilities was a vehicle to the spreading of
diseases among villagers, the Benson Institute provided funds and
development personnel to construct a series of public toilets. Now,
besides providing better facilities, the project has helped unify
the people of the town through the communal labor required.
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Children in Okwenya join each other for a mid-day meal. Here,
the Benson Institute plans to help reverse the effects of malnutrition.
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Additional projects are planned for this village. The Benson
Institute endeavors to heighten crop production by teaching
improved fertilizer techniques and by establishing an irrigation
system that will allow crops and animals to be produced
throughout the year. As crop production increases, there
will be additional food available for selling, and the higher
quality of production will decrease nutritional deficiencies.
There are high hopes that much more can be done to help the
people of Okwenya. As funding becomes available for further
intervention and research, the Benson Institute can work together
with the villagers to rid Okwenya of malnutrition, hunger, and
illiteracy. Among the women of the village, pottery is an important
livelihood. Because no one has taught them improved firing
techniques, they produce low-quality products. As Benson Institute
interns visited Okwenya, one woman making pots stopped them and
asked why so many people were taking the time to take her picture,
but they were not using that same time to teach her a better way.
The interns were thrilled to report that this was why they came––to
teach them a better way.
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