The Story of Eden Tree – A Household Brand in Ghana

It is Saturday 27 May 2017,  and the new Eden Tree production facility at Lashibi outside of Accra, Ghana is going to be inaugurated. I am there to learn about the company and its production, and leave with much more! In particular, feeling inspired and uplifted by women entrepreneurs in our harsh business climate. See my live Tweets below!

This is how we usually come across EdenTree products, in Ghanaian supermarkets in safe and healthy packaging.
And this is the new production facility that cleans and packages the vegetables, herbs and fruits.
Today, I'm at the new #EdenTreeGh? processing plant opening in Comm 18, Tema, Ghana. #HealthierPeopleBetterNation https://t.co/P7kLm8UmQi

Today, I’m at the new #EdenTreeGh? processing plant opening in Comm 18, Tema, Ghana. #HealthierPeopleBetterNation pic.twitter.com/P7kLm8UmQi
Did you know #EdenTreeGh? is the leading producer and distributor of high-end fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in Ghana? https://t.co/25CJKevS5R

Did you know #EdenTreeGh? is the leading producer and distributor of high-end fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in Ghana? pic.twitter.com/25CJKevS5R
Did you know #EdenTreeGh? has been in existence since 1997 and this year celebrates 20 years? https://t.co/cJ66JIvItq

Did you know #EdenTreeGh? has been in existence since 1997 and this year celebrates 20 years? pic.twitter.com/cJ66JIvItq
The biggest surprise of the day was what a superstar the CEO of EdenTree is! I can’t believe Caroline Krobo Edusei Benson is not also a household name!
Did you know #EdenTreeGh? is founded & run by Catherine Krobo Edusei Benson, former banker, agribusiness champion, here standing next to me? https://t.co/HdVO8sPKoX

Did you know #EdenTreeGh? is founded & run by Catherine Krobo Edusei Benson, former banker, agribusiness champion, here standing next to me? pic.twitter.com/HdVO8sPKoX
For those of you getting a kick out of ?powerful women's bios, see pic for #EdenTreeGh? CEO Catherine Krobo Edusei Benson's! #afrifem #blogh https://t.co/IyDdWZCAN8

For those of you getting a kick out of ?powerful women’s bios, see pic for #EdenTreeGh? CEO Catherine Krobo Edusei Benson’s! #afrifem #bloghpic.twitter.com/IyDdWZCAN8
The official launch is about to start at #EdenTreeGh? and I was given a delicious watermelon juice in the hot afternoon sun. You see? ?? https://t.co/pOZyotSflh

The official launch is about to start at #EdenTreeGh? and I was given a delicious watermelon juice in the hot afternoon sun. You see? ?? pic.twitter.com/pOZyotSflh
The Chairperson of EdenTree is also a woman, again a star, accomplished professional, advisor, mother of five, with the name of Mandy Hayford!
"Behind every strong woman there is a tribe of supportive women...", Doreen Andoh introduces #EdenTreeGh? Chairperson Mandy Hayford. https://t.co/3il4wpMToZ

“Behind every strong woman there is a tribe of supportive women…”, Doreen Andoh introduces #EdenTreeGh? Chairperson Mandy Hayford. pic.twitter.com/3il4wpMToZ
“How and what we eat is directly related to our health!” – Mandy Hayford, Chairperson #EdenTreeGh#HealthierPeopleBetterNation
Thanks for the translation into French! You can follow @edentreeghon Twitter & Instagram and my tweets of course! #EdenTreeGh https://twitter.com/madameghana/status/868470779125608448 …
Mr. Vanhelden from The Netherlands Embassy shared very interesting info on a project called GhanaVeg to bring more vegetables to the Ghanaian market.
Rep @NLinGhana tells of his friendship with #EdenTreeGh?, but also shares the shocking fact that Ghana imports onions from The Netherlands?? https://t.co/XUh9r1OMf4

Rep @NLinGhana tells of his friendship with #EdenTreeGh?, but also shares the shocking fact that Ghana imports onions from The Netherlands?? pic.twitter.com/XUh9r1OMf4
Investor in #EdenTreeGh?Baafuor Otu-Boateng of Investisseurs & Partenaires shares @edentreegh‘s CEO goes to visit partner farms every week!
 
On Twitter, people were getting involved…where is this EdenTree place located?
Cambodia Estates – From Coca-Cola Roundabout take a left at the Ecobank. #EdenTreeGh? signs from the T-junction. Produce in Gh supermarkets!  https://twitter.com/anivick101/status/868488671183458304 …
Another favorite time of the day was hearing from the vegetable producers.
A farmer working with #EdenTreeGh? shares how he first met “Madame Tree”. #HealthierPeopleBetterNation pic.twitter.com/93CQaXEqFV
 
I’m guessing there are several, but other problems create this situation. #EdenTreeGh https://twitter.com/agorkoli_/status/868481867250532352 …
"In Ghana, we don't respect farmers. Without farmers, what will you eat?" - Farmer Alhaji Suleiman asks a poignant question #EdenTreeGh? https://t.co/99fLUXkdWU

“In Ghana, we don’t respect farmers. Without farmers, what will you eat?” – Farmer Alhaji Suleiman asks a poignant question #EdenTreeGhpic.twitter.com/99fLUXkdWU
The Ghanaian government was represented at the launch.
Gov rep Mr Baeka, Ministry of Trade & Industry was one of the first people to arrive #EdenTreeGh? today. His speech covered new policies…
…like the One District, One Industry policy, Creation of Industrial parks in all 10 regions…#EdenTreeGh?
Kickstarting automobile & iron ore industries, Support SMEs… If 1/2 of what he presented happens within the next 4 years! ?? #EdenTreeGh?
Finally, the son of the founder and CEO spoke.
“It’s easy to highlight successes, the years of hardwork when no one is looking is the part we need to encourage!” – Mr Longdon #EdenTreeGh?
The launch ended on a very friendly and festive note with EdenTree’s founder and CEO thanking long-time employees.
"I want to talk about relationships", Catherine Krobo Edusei Benson #EdenTreeGh? only addresses us at the end, then to thank her employees!? https://t.co/qfRQYksrsj

“I want to talk about relationships”, Catherine Krobo Edusei Benson #EdenTreeGh? only addresses us at the end, then to thank her employees!? pic.twitter.com/qfRQYksrsj
Touching to see Krobo Edusei Benson's "biggest support", former nanny of her children, employee of 19yrs get a special mention. #EdenTreeGh? https://t.co/BaseBhAI3P

Touching to see Krobo Edusei Benson’s “biggest support”, former nanny of her children, employee of 19yrs get a special mention. #EdenTreeGhpic.twitter.com/BaseBhAI3P
What is your relationship to EdenTree? Did you know of its founder before reading this blog post? Have you tried their products? Which one is your favorite?
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Salad with my Favorite Vinaigrette

This post is a collaboration with Eden Tree.

***

I love a good salad, especially on a hot day at home, and feel a vinaigrette takes it to the next level. My Favorite Vinaigrette is more like a life hack than a recipe (no measurements, just guidelines!) that I hope will bring you joy! I make my vinaigrette in big batches and keep in a bottle in the fridge.

 

Favorite Vinaigrette
  • A generous splash of a good vinegar ( I like Apple Cider Vinegar right now, but anything goes)
  • Two generous splashes of oil, preferably Extra Virgin olive oil
  • Something sweet (Just a little Ghanaian honey is fab)
  • One or two cloves of garlic
  • A dollop of French mustard
  • Dried herbs like Thyme, Oregano, Tarragon, or a mix like Herbes the Provence
  • Black Pepper and Salt to taste

Combine all the wet ingredients in a bottle with a reliable cap. I like to put the cloves in the bottle whole, but for them to release their garlicky taste better, you can bruise, break, or if in a hurry to gobble up the vinaigrette, press them. Add the dry spices and the mustard and shake. In my experience, it runs out before it goes bad (but can probably sit safely for a few weeks in the fridge).

 

Salad
  • A bag of Eden Tree Lettuce
  • Half a bag of Eden Tree Basil
  • Half a bag of Eden Tree Parsley
  • Diced Eden Tree Tomatoes
  • Slanted Eden Tree Cucumber or unripe pawpaw
  • Possibly: Smoked fish, olives, lightly boiled green beans, boiled eggs, a good bread etc.

Separate and rinse lettuce leaves and the herbs. It is not strictly needed as Eden Tree vegetables are ready to eat off the shelf, but I always wash veg for freshness. Cut the dried leaves (wet leaves repel vinaigrette, dry leaves soak them up!) and combine with the other cut ingredients. With green beans, eggs, and smoked fish it turns into a Salad Nicoise, with olives and feta cheese it is a Greek Salad, with a bread and some olives it is a good lunch!

Drizzle the Favorite Vinaigratte over your delicious and healthy salad at the table. Soak up any remains with a good bread!

 

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Introducing Vickie Remoe and The Official Vickie Remoe Blog

Since many years, I am a fan of Vickie Remoe. How can one not love her spider-in-the-web business smarts, her flamboyant, sensual, and life-affirming style, and her constant reinventing of herself from journalist, to TV-show host, to magazine mogul, to returnee role model, to sexy mama, to marketing expert and the list goes on. Remoe is that person who always writes good content on social media and possibly who’s postings I comment on most, so believe that I  s-h-r-i-e-k-e-d  with joy when I saw she had started her own, self-hosted, personal blog!

I just had to ask Vickie Remoe some questions and share her with you!

 

1. Who are you and what do you do?
 
I’m a storyteller. Even when I’m working with clients and handling their marketing campaigns or drafting their marketing plans, what I feel I’m doing is telling a story. I run a small international marketing firm here in Accra, called Vickie Remoe and Company. We work for clients across the West African sub-region and amongst many other marketing services we help SMEs with the marketing plans they need to increase their sales leads and strategies for growth.

 

2. Why do you do what you do?

 

The sum total of my skills and experience these past 10 years have given me what I believe are insights or intelligence into selling and marketing in West Africa. So it is only natural to package all that and unload it for the benefit of paying clients.

 

3. What is The Official Vickie Remoe Blog and what is a GoWoman?

 

The Official Vickie Remoe Blog is a personal diary. It’s an outlet for me to use my writing not just to teach others but most importantly to tell my story as a means of finding clarity and peace.

 

GoWoman is from GoWoman Magazine, a magazine that I publish for and about what I call the 21st Century African Woman. A GoWoman is a woman who finds or makes a way where there isn’t one.

 

4. Why did you start blogging now?

 

I’ve been blogging for over a decade first on SwitSalone, then on GoWoman, but this is a personal self-centering undertaking. I started to blog because I need a place to connect my thoughts and talk about my own truth and lived experience. I’m not sure there is anyone else out there with my perspective, way of life, living as I am.

 

So I’m telling my story first and foremost for myself but also because I do have a following of young women who I feel need the content I put out, covering the things that would otherwise not be discussed in public. If I am honest and open about my life and my challenges and what I go through it might help them to also live their full lives.

 

5. How do you see Ghana today and where do you see Ghana in 5 years?

 

 

I’ve been here for almost 5 years and quite frankly I believe in Ghana. I have faith in Ghanaians that come what may
they’re going to stay invested and make sure Ghana is and becomes what they want it to be. This is a true democracy, not perfect, but true. In 5 years I think we’ll have more of the same; individual Ghanaians developing innovative solutions to everyday problems. I love Ghana and I hope to contribute to its development in my own way. This is home for better and for worse so we have to build it, all of us citizens and residents.

 

6. What is your best advice to someone who wants to create change?

 

You want to create change? Take small steps and actions. Don’t try to fix the macro problem, focus on what’s near, what’s close, and what you can start today.

 

7. What do you want to promote?

 

I follow a lot of women on social media. Women who exhibit their own light and are doing big and small wondrous things. They inspire me to keep doing me. To me, that’s what I get the most from social media, stories, and inspiration from others that set my soul on fire and give me strength. Some of them I don’t know at all.

 

Locally, I’m inspired by women in business who could be doing anything else but choose to follow their passions in seemingly unconventional fields. My local heroines are Yvette over at Cafe Kwae, Maggie over at Niobe Spa, Maabena  at Fitvolution and of course everyone’s favorite blogger and writer Jemila from Circumspecte. Those are taking the path less chosen, creating footprints for others who may not otherwise know how to get there.

 

Thank you for sharing, Vickie! I especially liked how you promoted other women “creating footprints for others” (sounds just like someone I know!) and your positive imagining of Ghana in the future. I wish Vickie all the best with her personal and very readable blog The Official Vickie Remoe Blog – two recent posts I read on dating married men and miscarriage – and suggest you follow her on FB and Instagram.
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