THIS ISSUE CONTAINS:
2005 ASBI CONVENTION
MELTING SHEA butter AT HOME
MARKET FOR GHANA'S SHEA butter
EX-REBEL BECOMES BURUNDI LEADER

2005 INTERNATIONAL SHEA butter CONVENTION IN ATLANTA, GA
We attended the 2005 America Shea butter Institute (ASBI) Convention & Business EXPO held on August 12 - August 14, 2005 at the Crown Plaza Hotel and Resort in Atlanta, GA. USA.

The conference is a two full Days of Business and Educational seminars devoted entirely to Shea butter production and quality issues. The event saw for the first time African Women processing Shea butter from the Shea Nuts. The conference brought together American importers and African producers from some of the 19 Shea butter producing countries.

The topics of the conference include:
" Methods of extractions
" Quality issues when making shea butter
" Quality evaluation at ASBI
" Import/Export and other Government Regulations and regulatory requirements for cosmetics in the USA.

During our participation, we receive a certification as an ASBI SHEA butter TECHNICIAN. Our participation in this year's conference is consistent with our plans to process the finest quality of Shea butter.

TIPS: MELTING SHEA butter AT HOME
ITEMS NEEDED
- Shea butter
- A thermometer to read temperature 60-170 degrees F
- A mixing bowl with a cover or a large Zip Lock Bag
- A hot water bath
- One wooden spoon

STEP 1
Begin by making a hot water bath.
Check the Temperature of the water with a thermometer. For best results, temperature should be between 140o F - 1600 F.

STEP 2
Place the mixing bowl (or large Zip Lock Bag) containing the Shea butter on the hot water bath and cover with a lead. Be careful not to spill water into the butter. You will notice after a few minutes that your butter begins to melt.

STEP 3
Continue to monitor the temperature of the water bath until Shea butter is completely melted.

STEP 4
Once butter is completely melted, remove the butter from the hot water bath and place in a cool place. If you wish to add some essential oil or fragrance, this is the stage to do so. Keep monitoring the melted butter; once the butter begins to solidify, use the wooden spoon to whip the butter. Do a second whipping 15 minutes after the first whipping to your desired smoothness.

STEP 5
Place butter into your desired packaging material and allow to solidify. Your 100% natural vitamin A cream is now ready for use.

SHEA butter NEWS
Japanese organisation to help find market for Ghana's shea butter
The Joined Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) on Monday promised that it would do its best to conduct a market survey to facilitate the export of processed shea-butter into the country.
Mr Shinnichi Saito, Executive President of JETRO, who made the promise, said it was the desire of the organisation to promote African products this year, and that it had set up "African Kitchen Corners" in various Asian countries to promote processed products from Africa. Read more at http://sheabutterweb.sekafghana.com/download/jetro.pdf

AFRICA TODAY
Ex-rebel becomes Burundi leader
Former Burundi rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza has been sworn in as president, marking the end of 12 years of war which has left 300,000 dead.
He becomes the first leader chosen through democratic means since 1993. Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4186180.stm