151 - Stories that bind; using storytelling to evaluate the activities of the Tungteiya Women's Sheabutter Cooperative Association.

Stories that bind: Using Storytelling to Evaluate the Activities of the Tungteiya Women's Sheabutter Cooperative Association (TWSCA)

Abstract
Tungteiya Women’s Sheabutter Cooperative Association (TWSCA) is one of many local women shea butter cooperative groups operating within Ghana’s shea sector. It has a partnership agreement with The Bodyshop International (TBSI) and the Northern Ghana Community Action Fund (NOGCAF). At a 2017 Global Shea Alliance (GSA) conference held in Cotonou, Benin, claims were made about how proceeds from this tripartite partnership were being used to improve individual and community livelihoods. Working for the industry regulator as the Officer in charge of that jurisdiction, I was tasked with evaluating the activities of these groups to confirm the veracity of these claims or otherwise. However, the availability of accurate statistics is one of many challenges confronting Ghana’s shea landscape. Faced with such a challenge, my team and I had to come up with a meaningful way of conducting the evaluation. The use of storytelling as a method proved useful in that regard. A purposive sampling technique was used to select members of the TWSCA, opinion leaders and relevant organizations in the catchment area. Data collection methods included focus group sessions, individual interviews and field observations. Focus group sessions were used with members of the association while individual interviews were used for the opinion leaders and heads of the relevant organisations. Field observations were also used when and how necessary. The stories and accounts given by the participants enabled us to deduce the theory of change and logic model associated with the groups’ activities. Our findings revealed that membership of the association provided access to a readily available market, processing facilities, a welfare fund and free training programs. The Association had also provided key infrastructure such as boreholes, classroom blocks as well as housing units for teachers and nurses in the community. These findings thus corroborated the claims made by the TWSCA. Donor groups, program managers, administrators, emerging evaluators and students may find this presentation useful because it demonstrates a practical case study of using storytelling as an evaluation method. For donors, it highlights how using storytelling as an evaluation method can garner deeper and richer insights. For program managers, administrators and emerging evaluators, it demonstrates how storytelling can serve as an effective evaluation method in complex settings. For emerging evaluators and students, the presentation offers practical lessons in the field and how qualitative methods such as storytelling can help address such challenges.
Key words: Evaluation, Qualitative Methods, Storytelling, Women Cooperatives, Livelihoods