Alex Rose-Innes
What does a teenager in Ghana do to make a difference to the earth’s plight and improve the lives of her fellow country residents?
If her name is Winnifred Selby, this young powerhouse of a woman, creates a brand to change the environment, provide sustainable jobs and fights climate change. Only 15 years old at the time, Winnifred and her friend, Bernice Dapaah, saw the future and realised that it came in the form of bamboo.
With Ghana literally teeming with thousands of hectares of natural bamboo, Afrocentric Bamboo saw the light and since then, there had been no stopping these two enterprising young women who are struggling to keep up with demand.
Realising that students often had to travel over rough terrain, what was needed was an affordable and sturdy mode of transport. Through innovative design, using what grew in abundance in her own country to counteract poverty, joblessness and overcome transport problems, two-wheelers were designed to address all these issues.
In Ghana, just as across many other countries on the African continent struggling with various socio-economic problems, many young green eco entrepreneurs are coming to the rescue. Winnifred is proving that a positive attitude and a can-do-spirit would ensure a better and green future for the Earth which is currently buckling under out-dated and harmful practices.
Selling at $100 each for the local market, the bikes had been crafted in one piece, able to tackle even the most rural byways. Hip and helpful, these bikes had become all the rage in Ghana and are being sold in Europe and The United States where more and more people are looking for eco-conscious products. Across Western Africa, these bikes are now seen making their way, not only across harsh terrains and in cities, but into the annals of history.
This socio-ecological enterprise is inspiring other young people to ensure a financially sustainable future and drive change. Winnifred is still practically a teenager at 19, but the epitome of success and the head of a thriving non-governmental organisasion (NGO) also providing skills training for the rural youth in Ghana. She employs 30 young women and earns $10 000 per month (more than R150 000) from exporting her bamboo bikes.
Winnifred had always been an enterprising girl and even in primary school sold toffees to assist her struggling family with school fees. Never afraid to take risks, she is a firm believer in rather trying and losing than stagnating and fearful of unfamiliar changes.
BLURB:
“I continually push myself and my team to forgo the status quo and be fearless and flexible in responding to new opportunities and challenges.” – Winnifred
Having established a secure business and alleviating socio-ecological changes in her home country, Winnifred and Afrocentric Bamboo are ready to take on the international business world. With her belief in promoting fair trade, treating people well and creating eco-friendly products, there is no doubt that she would experience success much further than just her African roots.
