Empowering Lives Through Beekeeping: Adamu Hamed’s Journey

In the tranquil village of Alombokorfe in Kwahu Afram Plains of Ghana, a remarkable story unfolds as Adamu Hamed, a diligent man of 62 years, takes a transformative leap into beekeeping. With nine (9) top bar hives, Adamu embarked on this journey five months ago – he currently has seven (7) honey bee colonies. He has since added six (6) new hives this year [2024].

His journey began unexpectedly when a benevolent gentleman [Baba, a beekeeper at Apesika, trained by BfD Ghana in 2019] noticed his occupation of selling wood in Donkorkrom – the capital of Kwahu Afram Plains North District. Recognising the potential for growth, the gentleman suggested using some of the wood to build beehives. With a helping hand from Baba, Adamu found himself entering the world of beekeeping, a venture he had little prior knowledge of.

Despite lacking beekeeping knowledge and skills, Adamu’s determination shines through. He envisions a future where he can independently manage every aspect of beekeeping without relying on others. The prospect of focusing solely on beekeeping resonates with him, recognising its potential to uplift his life more than his current endeavours, which include growing maize, yam, and cassava as well as trading wood.

In the heart of Alombokorfe, where the buzzing harmony of bees intertwines with the rhythm of life, Adamu tends to his 14 children while nurturing his newfound passion. His recent harvest of seven (7) colonies [assisted to harvest and introduced to Mobile Honey System by Shafik Hasmin, BfDG’s Honey Collection Coordinator at Kojorbator] yielded 2,210 Ghana cedis, a promising windfall.

Buckets of honey combs harvested by Adamu Hamed

Adamu exclaimed with surprise and joy when he heard the worth of the honey combs, he brought to the BfDG Honey and Beeswax Trade Centre in Donkorkrom. He said, “Alhamdulillah!” (an Arabic phrase meaning ‘praise be to God’ or thank God [Alluh]’. Undeterred by his initial lack of expertise, Adamu pledges to invest three-quarters of this amount back into beekeeping, a testament to his commitment to the craft.

Adamu Hamed’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the pursuit of knowledge and skills. As he sets his sights on formal beekeeping training by benefiting from the Darwin Initiative funded project, he not only seeks to enhance his skills but also strives to become a self-sufficient beekeeper. Through this journey, he is not just cultivating honey; he is sowing the seeds of empowerment and a brighter future for himself and his family.

Stay tuned for updates on Adamu’s inspiring beekeeping odyssey, as he transforms his humble beginnings into a thriving enterprise that not only supports his family but also contributes to the flourishing beekeeping community of Kwahu Afram Plains, especially Alombokorfe.

This blog post was made possible by kind courtesy of the UK government through the Darwin Initiative/Biodiversity Challenge Funds.