“You only truly understand the world once you encounter it.”
This thought perfectly captures the depth and emotional impact of the experiences gathered by the participants of the study trip to Ghana, organised by Planet B Travel for Fairtrade Lëtzebuerg.
The journey was deliberately designed to offer participants direct insight into the people and structures behind the Fairtrade value chain. It was a trip that focused less on classic sightseeing and far more on encounters, openness, and mutual understanding – moments that resonate long after the journey ends.
At the heart of the programme was a visit to the Fairtrade cocoa cooperative Kuapa Kokoo. Guests gained a deep understanding of how much work, expertise, and commitment go into every single cocoa bean – and how essential fair prices, safe working conditions, and long-term partnerships are for producers. Conversations, shared laughter, and the warm hospitality of the hosts made Fairtrade tangible and deeply personal.
The impacts of climate change were also a constant topic of discussion. Local farmers spoke about shifting rainy seasons, extreme rainfall followed by prolonged dry periods – challenges that increasingly affect their harvests and livelihoods. In this context, fair trade structures provide an important source of stability.
Supporting Women Locally
Another key focus of the journey was the empowerment of women within local communities. As part of the trip, a direct contribution could be made: USD 1,100 were provided to enable a woman from the region to pursue education or vocational training through the WSOL programme (Women Support Organization for Life). The amount was made possible through the 1% donation included in the travel price, as well as a contribution from Bollig Tours and Planet B. WSOL is recognised as one of the most impactful empowerment programmes in West Africa, and the encounters with the committed women behind the initiative left a profound and lasting impression on the travel group.
More Than a Journey
This trip demonstrated the powerful impact of personal encounters:
how closeness emerges where there was once distance,
how understanding grows where there was previously only a product,
how responsibility becomes tangible once you meet the people behind a supply chain.
Planet B Travel would like to thank Fairtrade Lëtzebuerg for their trust and all participants for their openness and curiosity. Ghana has moved, enriched, and left lasting impressions – and will undoubtedly continue to resonate as a meaningful experience for a long time to come.
