> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Author:: Eleanor Brown > Reference:: https://garlandmag.com/article/paying-the-school-fees-bolga-baskets-in-ghana/ > Date:: 2016 > Tags:: #warp #Ghana #basketry > WeftLinks:: [[Equity value of craft]] > Claim:: [[Claim - Craft alleviates poverty]] > [!SUMMARY] Summary > In Bolgatanga, making baskets pays the school fees ### Highlights [[Attachments/d9ca1dafae55e059c8ba88a5979831ea_MD5.jpeg|Open: Pasted image 20250131154730.png]] ![[Attachments/d9ca1dafae55e059c8ba88a5979831ea_MD5.jpeg]] TradeAid is an NGO in Bolgatanga, Ghana, working to end poverty by training people in the craft industry, particularly basket weaving. The Bolga baskets, made by local women, are beautiful and serve to supplement their farming income. Events like the Bolgatanga International Craft and Arts Fair help promote these artisans and their crafts to a global audience. > In Bolgatanga, 22.7% of the population is employed in the craft sector > > Bolgatanga’s status as a Fairtrade Town > > A medium sized basket will take three days to weave from scratch, from splitting and rolling the straw, to using natural dyes, and finally weaving. > > I enjoy being able to pay my children’s school fees.