NEWS RELEASE
March 11, 2021

Ronny VoorspoolsManaging Director,
Fuji Oil Ghana
Email: ronny.voorspools@fujioilghana.com

Yoshiharu Okamoto
Senior Manager,
Corporate Communication Group,
Fuji Oil Holdings Inc.
kouhou@so.fujioil.co.jp

Email: ronny.voorspools@fujioilghana.com

Tebma-Kandu: Fuji Oil’s ambitious Shea Sustainability ProgramFuji Oil launched its Shea Sustainability Program Tebma-Kandu during a field visit to 16 Women Cooperatives inNorth Ghana. The program includes continuous improvement activities in reforestation, women empowerment,
and local value creation.
Techiman, March 11: The first milestone of Fuji Oil’s Sustainability Program Tebma-Kandu was set with thesigning of 16 agreements between cooperative representatives and Fuji Oil Ghana, and 7 more will be signed
once regional COVID restrictions are lifted. The agreements contain the intention by Fuji Oil to source specificshea kernel volumes from the cooperatives at a given quality, and to provide pre-financing before the start ofthe season. Fuji Oil estimates that these agreements will benefit approximately 20.000 women in Northern
Ghana. Furthermore, this is a major milestone in the road to full traceability of Fuji Oil’s raw materials.
“Tebma-Kandu” is Mamprusi and means: “I want to climb, but I need a push”, and this is precisely what Fuji Oil
wants to achieve with its sustainability program. Lifting the capability of these cooperatives to produce highquality shea kernels, while creating value for the communities in Ghana and for Fuji Oil’s Business. Other
program activities include the sponsoring of warehouses, local capability building and reforestation projects.
Ronny Voorspools, Managing Director of Fuji Oil Ghana says: “What an honor that my signature is amongst
those of the cooperatives’ female leaders. It is a privilege to “push” them along this steep “climb” towards asuccessful business. Meeting the high-quality standards of Fuji Oil and assist in improving the livelihood of thewomen is a true win-win”.
Fuji Oil works in collaboration with the Presbyterian Agricultural Service (PAS), Kerk in Actie and the Global Shea
Alliance. Fuji Oil plans to launch milestone and KPI for responsible sourcing of shea nuts in May 2021.
About Fuji Oil Holdings
The Fuji Oil Group is a manufacturer of plant-based food solutions in the fields of hard butters for chocolate andindustrial use chocolate; confectionery and bakery ingredients including cream, margarine, and cheese-flavor
ingredients; and soy ingredients. With Headquarters in Japan, the Group has 32 companies in 14 countries andemploys nearly 6000 talented people. Ever since its founding in 1950, Fuji Oil has adhered to the conviction thatits path to survival and advancement lies in cultivating new fields through application of its originality, without
following the lead of other companies. The Group has set a management policy of solving social issues through“Plant-Based Food Solution” and is promoting ESG management that pursues both sustainable corporate
growth and society. The Group is focusing on sustainable procurement of the main raw materials like as palmoil, cacao, soybeans.
Visit https://www.fujioilholdings.com/en/