Video

Interview with Kwame Yeboah-Afari

N&M:  Kwame, tell us something about this remote area.
Kwame:We are in a dry and remote area along the banks of Lake Volta in the eastern part of Ghana. This peninsula was totally cut off from the rest of the country after the Akasombo Dam was built here  40 years ago. BioExotica was established in 2005 on the highest spot on the peninsula with a beautiful view over Lake Volta.

N&M: BioExotica is the largest employer in this region. What does this mean for the residents?
Kwame: Because the region was completely cut off when the dam was built, the area could not engage in any economic activity with the rest of the country. The local population lived from cassava production, and often (inter)national organizations came to investigate the possibilities for starting a development project in this area. A lot was promised but nothing was realized until the founders of BioExotica came to the area and started a completely new company in organic pineapple production, with the help of Dutch investments. The establishment of the company made it  possible to upgrade work and educational facilities for the local population and offer extensive training programs for the workers. We now have a hard working, satisfied labor force, the only modern primary school in the neighbouring village, and another completely renovated local school complete with educational tools .

N&M:  Tell us what has changed in the area as a result of BioExotica setting up here.
Kwame: At the beginning, essential infrastructure was missing in the region; there was no nearby potable water, no electricity, only a sandy access road and no accommodation for health care or education.  With the help of the local government and the efforts of BioExotica, an electricity network was developed. This was very special at the time because Ghana was in the middle of an electricity crisis. Next, an access road was constructed which opened the way for international export as well as allowed for easy mobility of the people in the area. The company-funded developments around BioExotica have triggered the national authorities to take action as well, implementing extended electricity lines to households in the area and tarring main roads. A health care center and a primary school have changed people’s  lives.  There is now a future imaginable. The children of the community go to school and  the employees of BioExotica have increased their chances for future success through training for specialized jobs on the plantation or in its administrative office.

N&M: What made BioExotica decide to start using organic production methods?
Kwame: It made beautiful sense to capitalize on the availability of clean water from the Volta River reservoir and the good soil quality by adopting  organic production practices on the plantation.  The non-productive areas will be planted with green manure cover crops in order to enrich soils and avoid erosion. Long fallow periods under green manure have positive results for the soil and will ensure the sustainability of the organic production. In order to protect the fragile lakeshore environment, many trees have been planted to protect this shoreline.

N&M:  Why is pineapple so well suited to this area?
Kwame: Pineapples can be grown on eroded land in dry areas with little or no irrigation.  Another advantage of pineapples is that planting on degraded lands helps to reduce soil erosion and thereby any further environmental degradation.

N&M: What is your cultural link to this land and its people?
Kwame: In bygone days my family lived here, but I myself come from the north of Ghana. As the story goes, a long time ago twin boys were born to the old Chief. Nobody knew what to do with two Chiefs so the younger of the two left with part of the family and moved to northern Ghana. My family is descended from him.
Lake Farm is established in the area of the Akal tribe, a tribe in Ghana that is deeply rooted to a place and has a history in the location. Culture is very strong here and we honor that. For example, rites were performed  before we started, since  the blessing of the Gods is needed for success. I feel closely related to the area and therefore it was an enormous opportunity for me to work at BioExotica and see the community flourish.