The FIG Tree (Garstang) CIC is a social enterprise
What does this mean?
All our profits are dedicated to increasing incomes for Fairtrade cocoa farmers and their families and spreading the word about fair trade to communities in the UK
All our suppliers in Ghana are small or micro businesses owned by Ghanaians from the local area
Our chocolate is made using beans grown by a named farmer - this year that's Frederick!
What's the big picture?
Did you know most cocoa farmers and their children have never tasted chocolate?
We don't think this is fair, so we're supporting cocoa farmers to use the beans they grow to make their own delicious chocolate and other products to sell locally
We're also spreading the word in the UK through our chocolate making workshops and talks to community groups
Ghana is a beautiful country with plenty to offer. But systemic issues mean the people historically haven't been able to share in the wealth their country creates.
Over a million people visited Ghana in 2023 so with your help we're building a tourist cafe to complement our accommodation offer at the Co-operative House.
Meet the team
The FIG Tree was founded in 2011 by Bruce Crowther MBE to share his knowledge and expertise in fair trade and chocolate with people all over the world and to mark Garstang's position as the first fair trade town in the world.
Along with retired teacher Graham Hulme Bruce has conducted assemblies and workshops all over the North of England.
In October 2024 Joanna and Samuel Fianu joined the team and will manage the project in Ghana as well as leading workshops in the UK
Joanna Abena Fianu
Customer Co-ordinator
I have over fifteen years' experience as a fair trade campaigner and seventeen years running a fair trade retail business. I served on the Board of BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK for 6 years and as Co-ordinator for Fairtrade Yorkshire I led the campaign to Keep KitKat Fairtrade. As Chair of the National Campaigner Committee in summer 2022 I walked the Fair Trade Ways 91 miles from Garstang to Keswick and 50 miles around Bradford to raise funds for an educational project in Ghana - Chocolate Has A Name. I am currently Chair of Fairtrade Lancashire.
I am passionate about supporting grassroots fair trade campaigners to advocate in their communities for trade justice and to increase the links between farmers and workers and campaigners and supporters
Samuel Fianu
Project Manager
I have been involved in fair trade ever since I met Bruce Crowther - father of the fair trade towns movement and my surrogate Dad - in Ghana when I was just ten years old. When I was 15 he brought me to the UK to visit Garstang and I met fair trade campaigners.
I trained as a teacher but in recent years I have found my calling as a tour guide and driver, helping tourists discover and explore Ghana. With Nana Bruce and others I have visited the co-operative house at New Koforidua many times and feel it is a fantastic resource for the local and global fair trade community.
I am passionate about supporting cocoa farmers and others in rural Ghana to increase their income through tourism.
Bookings
Join us in Ghana for a once in a lifetime opportunity. We'll discover Ghana's special place at the heart of trade justice issues, stay at the Co-operative House - purpose built for fair trade campaigners to immerse yourselves in a Fairtrade cocoa growing community.
You will spend a day with a Fairtrade cocoa farmer and their family, and meet the Chief and elders. We'll eat locally sourced food and stay in the heart of communities. As a social enterprise we are committed to spending your money with small local suppliers and increasing incomes for rural communities.
If your group is travelling to Ghana independently and you want to visit the Co-operative House at New Koforidua we are exclusive agents for booking the house. The house is currently undergoing extensive renovations but will be ready for use from August 2023.
There will be two single sex bunk rooms each sleeping 6 and a family room with two double beds.
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As we are a social enterprise with a mission to support income generation in cocoa growing areas we make sure all the money you pay to stay in the house stays in the community at New Koforidua.
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We can help you arrange visits to other sites in Ghana including
* FairAfric factory - one of only three in Ghana where locally grown cocoa is made into chocolate
* Wli waterfalls
* Golden Exotics Fairtrade banana farm
* Mole national park
* Bolgatanga and WFTO member Trade Aid
* Nkyinkyim outdoor art gallery featuring sculptures inspired by the Transatlantic Slave Trade
* Global Mamas WFTO member in Cape Coast or Osu, Accra
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We can also help you arrange transport around Ghana and expert tour guides at historic sites. Please let us know what you want to do and we'll do our best to make it happen.
Just email Joanna - allsfairtours@gmail.com with your request.
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