An incredible buzzworthy experience of our female staff in the UK

Beekeeping is a lucrative agricultural activity that sustains livelihoods, enhances pollination, and conserves biodiversity. Recently, global agencies have been making efforts to upscale beekeeping and safe honey production to help address poverty and food insecurity in Ghana.

The National Bee Unit of the United Kingdom’s Animal and Plant Health Agency, through the Animal Health System Strengthening Project, carefully chose four beekeeping development workers from Bees for Development Ghana (BfDG) namely Martha Adjorlolo, Florence Sefakor, Clara Mensah and Rejoice Azameti, and four other beekeepers in Ghana to participate in nearly two weeks of intensive apicultural training in the UK.

A group photo with the UK’s National Bee Unit staff at the Kings Lynn Beekeepers Association Apiary.

Ultimately, these participants would serve as change agents and champion best apiculture practices, promoting bee health and the production of quality honey.

The trainees and facilitators visited and learned from beekeeping institutions such as Thornes Beehives, Tropical Forest Products, the British Beekeepers Association, Kings Lynn Apiary, Holt Hall Apiary, Honey Bee Meadow, and the National Bee Unit.

They had an incredible perspective of beekeeping when the institutions received them. They deeply explored the beautiful bee world, learning about honeybee husbandry, pests and diseases identification and management, honey processing and value addition and networking.

Florence, Clara, Martha and Rejoice at the Kings Lynn Beekeepers’ Association Study Apiary (From left to right)

Another buzzworthy aspect of the training was the four days that BfDG team spent with their partner organisation-Bees for Development UK in Monmouth. There, they learned about creating and fostering an excellent working environment; communication that sustains partnerships, village savings and loans scheme integration in beekeeping projects, and solitary bees and their specular roles in biodiversity conservation.

Also, they experienced the fascinating swarm unveil scene with the amazing people of Monmouth. They joyfully made beeswax value-added products such as candles, lip balm and lamp balls with our colleagues in the UK.

A group shot after the candle-making session

Clara, Rejoice, and Florence had the opportunity to present their beekeeping project proposal as a requirement for the completion of their 18-month Women Professional Beekeeping Training Programmme with us. Clara presented on strengthening orphanages and communities through sustainable beekeeping in Nkwatia, Koforidua, and Donkorkrom.

Rejoice’s proposal was on empowering teenage mothers and school dropouts through beekeeping in Kwahu Afram Plains North District while Florence presented on strengthening the livelihood of rural women through sustainable beekeeping in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District.

BfD Ghana Team at the Swarm Unveil scene with Janet Lowore, Programmes Director, BfD UK

The all-inclusive programme imprinted great lessons on our beekeeping journey. These lessons include the creation of value-added products to increase revenue; maintaining hygiene in and around the apiary to prevent pests and disease infestation; product differentiation, quality control and assurance to boost customers’ loyalty and company revenues; and the use of automated systems in beekeeping improves efficiency.

The BfD Ghana team shares their incredible buzzing experiences below:

Martha writes, ‘I am privileged and excited to transform the Ghanaian beekeeping sector with the experience I had from the UK’s beekeeping sector.  Our hosts were splendid!

Florence remarked, ‘Having experience bees, beekeeping and teamworking from the UK’s standpoint, I am better-positioned to help develop the Ghanaian apicultural landscape.’

Clara commented ‘Being on this tour would always be a memory worth reliving. I am glad I experienced it.

Rejoice recounts, ‘The tour to the UK beekeeping sector has ignited passion in me to work and improve the Ghanaian beekeeping sector.

Mrs Leigh Sidiway with Rejoice, Florence and Clara at the British Beekeepers’ Association office