A DERBY company which deals in fair trade goods from Ghana is helping to build a new village in the West African country.

Akoma International, based at the Brian Clough Business Centre, in Cotton Lane, imports a range of fair trade goods, which guarantees producers in under-developed countries a fair price.

As well as providing employment for hundreds of people in Ghana, the business is helping to support local communities by building new facilities.

The firm has now embarked on a major project to build a new craft village for workers who make fair trade shea butter.

The butter is a natural fat extracted from fruit of the shea tree. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturiser.

Over 100 women in Ghana are employed making the butter for Akoma at Pusunamogo, in the eastern part of the country.

In order to help boost production, Akoma is funding the building of a new village to attract more workers. New production equipment will also be supplied to improve efficiency.

Building work is ongoing and the project is set to be formally launched on March 6 – Ghana's Independence Day.

Akoma was founded in September, 2002, by Angus Klufio.

Mr Klufio, was originally born in Hereford, but moved with his family to Ghana when he was three years old.

He returned to the UK at the age of 11 and settled in Derby.

He decided to set up his import and distribution company to help disadvantaged communities and businesses in Ghana through trade.

The firm currently imports raw food and cosmetic ingredients and supplies manufacturers in the UK and abroad.

Mr Klufio said: "Our objective has been to evolve into a company that builds in ethical value from source, into product and through our supply chain relationships.

"Besides focusing on the quality of ingredients and processes, we are conscious of the need to ensure people grow and enjoy an equitable relationship with us.

"My view was that with a profitable business our aim is to make life comfortable for local communities we are involved with in the UK and Ghana.

"We are reinvesting in the local society and infrastructure in a way that makes their shea butter and palm oil agriculture sustainable, profitable and not exploitative of the grower."

Before setting up his business, Mr Klufio worked in London for 10 years, most of which was spent working for Sainsbury's.

He said: "My work at Sainsbury's got me interested in the supply chain and the impact it has on the development of emerging economies.

"I noticed that there were not that many products sourced from Ghana or indeed quite a number of West African countries.

"I became fascinated by how co-operatives, predominantly made up of women, harvested palm oil and shea butter.

"In the end, through Akoma, I have managed to encourage and promote fair trade goods from Ghana.

"As a result, not only are we sustaining jobs there, but we are also making a difference to their way of life and improving their chances to compete in the market place."