Joanna Abena Fianu
@joannafairtrade.bsky.social
Trade justice campaigner - supporting social and fair trade enterprise - working with cocoa farmers in Ghana via The FIG Tree
https://fairtradecentre.org/workshops-2/
Was Ranavalona111 on the other place
https://fairtradecentre.org/workshops-2/
Was Ranavalona111 on the other place
Elephant in the room of the race to replace workers with AI is where all the money will come from if nobody has a job. Henry Ford at least understood your workers are customers for your own & other businesses so they need money
Though I'm sure somewhere a tech bro's working on replacing all humans
Though I'm sure somewhere a tech bro's working on replacing all humans
December 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Elephant in the room of the race to replace workers with AI is where all the money will come from if nobody has a job. Henry Ford at least understood your workers are customers for your own & other businesses so they need money
Though I'm sure somewhere a tech bro's working on replacing all humans
Though I'm sure somewhere a tech bro's working on replacing all humans
If you ask me to email someone I will do it straight away. Ask me to ring them and it will be days, or probably never. The reason is auditory processing. Tell me something over the phone and unless I write it down I immediately forget it. So phone calls are just a waste of both our times.
November 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM
If you ask me to email someone I will do it straight away. Ask me to ring them and it will be days, or probably never. The reason is auditory processing. Tell me something over the phone and unless I write it down I immediately forget it. So phone calls are just a waste of both our times.
Training a new volunteer in the shop on Friday an older gentleman comes in and buys 9 packs of Christmas cards. Great scanning practice and the transaction goes through perfectly
Once he goes the volunteer (early 20s) asks me "What were they?" He had no concept of posting cards to people
Once he goes the volunteer (early 20s) asks me "What were they?" He had no concept of posting cards to people
November 23, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Training a new volunteer in the shop on Friday an older gentleman comes in and buys 9 packs of Christmas cards. Great scanning practice and the transaction goes through perfectly
Once he goes the volunteer (early 20s) asks me "What were they?" He had no concept of posting cards to people
Once he goes the volunteer (early 20s) asks me "What were they?" He had no concept of posting cards to people
Sitting wearing a Fairtrade mark T shirt in Booths cafe in the World's first Fairtrade Town drinking a £3 cup of non Fairtrade tea because there is nowhere in Garstang to buy a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee (honourable exception of Thursday mornings when they're available free at the Community Hub)
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Sitting wearing a Fairtrade mark T shirt in Booths cafe in the World's first Fairtrade Town drinking a £3 cup of non Fairtrade tea because there is nowhere in Garstang to buy a cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee (honourable exception of Thursday mornings when they're available free at the Community Hub)
You can't spend 300 years building a global empire and telling all its subjects that you are the best country in the world and then when they believe you and try to live here - in what many consider to be the motherland - tell them no, actually, not for you #R4Today
November 18, 2025 at 8:17 AM
You can't spend 300 years building a global empire and telling all its subjects that you are the best country in the world and then when they believe you and try to live here - in what many consider to be the motherland - tell them no, actually, not for you #R4Today
This time next week I will be preparing for my first day at a new job.
Tomorrow is my last day at Social Enterprise UK after almost 5 years running the eBay for Change programme.
I've learnt a lot and met some incredible people who have changed my life in almost incalculable ways.
Tomorrow is my last day at Social Enterprise UK after almost 5 years running the eBay for Change programme.
I've learnt a lot and met some incredible people who have changed my life in almost incalculable ways.
November 17, 2025 at 6:51 AM
This time next week I will be preparing for my first day at a new job.
Tomorrow is my last day at Social Enterprise UK after almost 5 years running the eBay for Change programme.
I've learnt a lot and met some incredible people who have changed my life in almost incalculable ways.
Tomorrow is my last day at Social Enterprise UK after almost 5 years running the eBay for Change programme.
I've learnt a lot and met some incredible people who have changed my life in almost incalculable ways.
There is a special circle of hell reserved for people who stand chatting with their friends in front of your stall for ages meaning other customers can't get to look at your products
Especially when there are loads of other places you could be standing
Especially when there are loads of other places you could be standing
November 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
There is a special circle of hell reserved for people who stand chatting with their friends in front of your stall for ages meaning other customers can't get to look at your products
Especially when there are loads of other places you could be standing
Especially when there are loads of other places you could be standing
I ran a business called All's Fair for many years so it has been rather upsetting to read all the negative reviews of the Disney+ drama of the same name but my God it's terrible. You're absolutely right to drag it.
I'm going to go back to pretending my All's Fair was the only one and it was great
I'm going to go back to pretending my All's Fair was the only one and it was great
November 14, 2025 at 7:24 AM
I ran a business called All's Fair for many years so it has been rather upsetting to read all the negative reviews of the Disney+ drama of the same name but my God it's terrible. You're absolutely right to drag it.
I'm going to go back to pretending my All's Fair was the only one and it was great
I'm going to go back to pretending my All's Fair was the only one and it was great
It's hard to escape from consumerism at Christmas but your money goes further if you shop locally, sustainably and ethically
Luckily you can accomplish all of these with a visit to your local #fairtrade shop (if you're in Greater Manchester or Lancashire that might be Justicia in Bolton)
#Shoplocal
Luckily you can accomplish all of these with a visit to your local #fairtrade shop (if you're in Greater Manchester or Lancashire that might be Justicia in Bolton)
#Shoplocal
November 12, 2025 at 4:45 PM
It's hard to escape from consumerism at Christmas but your money goes further if you shop locally, sustainably and ethically
Luckily you can accomplish all of these with a visit to your local #fairtrade shop (if you're in Greater Manchester or Lancashire that might be Justicia in Bolton)
#Shoplocal
Luckily you can accomplish all of these with a visit to your local #fairtrade shop (if you're in Greater Manchester or Lancashire that might be Justicia in Bolton)
#Shoplocal
In all the Serious Think Pieces and hot takes about whether the BBC is politically biased nobody seems to be saying that actually don't we want it to be taking a stand in support of the American people and residents who are being daily harmed by their President. It's what we wanted in the 1930s.
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 AM
In all the Serious Think Pieces and hot takes about whether the BBC is politically biased nobody seems to be saying that actually don't we want it to be taking a stand in support of the American people and residents who are being daily harmed by their President. It's what we wanted in the 1930s.
I'm reluctantly acknowledging that I will have to forego a Christmas tree at home this year due to having an inquisitive and speedy kitten (she pulled down my bedroom curtains at 3am on Saturday)
But I do get to decorate the tree in the shop
But I do get to decorate the tree in the shop
November 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I'm reluctantly acknowledging that I will have to forego a Christmas tree at home this year due to having an inquisitive and speedy kitten (she pulled down my bedroom curtains at 3am on Saturday)
But I do get to decorate the tree in the shop
But I do get to decorate the tree in the shop
I like to tell British people about the NHS surcharge that you have to pay upfront when you apply for a visa. At the moment it comes to over £2000 for a standard spousal visa and covers 2 years 9 months. British people are normally outraged. But many American families pay that every month.
November 10, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I like to tell British people about the NHS surcharge that you have to pay upfront when you apply for a visa. At the moment it comes to over £2000 for a standard spousal visa and covers 2 years 9 months. British people are normally outraged. But many American families pay that every month.
Wondering why I am awake at this ungodly hour before realising the kitten has pulled down the bedroom curtains
November 8, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Wondering why I am awake at this ungodly hour before realising the kitten has pulled down the bedroom curtains
I was 5 when Citizen Smith was first broadcast and it was my favourite programme
I used to raise my right fist and shout "Power to the People" at every opportunity
This explains a lot about how the rest of my life has unfolded
I used to raise my right fist and shout "Power to the People" at every opportunity
This explains a lot about how the rest of my life has unfolded
The first episode of Series One of the classic 🇬🇧 British sitcom "CITIZEN SMITH" written by John Sullivan, starring Robert Lindsay, Mike Grady, Cheryl Hall, Hilda Braid and Tony Steedman first broadcast #OnThisDay in 1977, on the BBC One Network. It ran for 4 seasons producing 30 episodes
📺 BBC
📺 BBC
November 4, 2025 at 8:37 AM
I was 5 when Citizen Smith was first broadcast and it was my favourite programme
I used to raise my right fist and shout "Power to the People" at every opportunity
This explains a lot about how the rest of my life has unfolded
I used to raise my right fist and shout "Power to the People" at every opportunity
This explains a lot about how the rest of my life has unfolded
Experts: "Smartphones are bad for children's anxiety"
Parents: "BUT HOW WILL I TRACK MY CHILD'S EVERY MOVE WITHOUT A SMARTPHONE? THE WORLD IS TERRIFYING AND THEY ARE IN CONSTANT PERIL"
Maybe the causes of children's anxiety are a bit more complex
#R4Today
Parents: "BUT HOW WILL I TRACK MY CHILD'S EVERY MOVE WITHOUT A SMARTPHONE? THE WORLD IS TERRIFYING AND THEY ARE IN CONSTANT PERIL"
Maybe the causes of children's anxiety are a bit more complex
#R4Today
November 4, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Experts: "Smartphones are bad for children's anxiety"
Parents: "BUT HOW WILL I TRACK MY CHILD'S EVERY MOVE WITHOUT A SMARTPHONE? THE WORLD IS TERRIFYING AND THEY ARE IN CONSTANT PERIL"
Maybe the causes of children's anxiety are a bit more complex
#R4Today
Parents: "BUT HOW WILL I TRACK MY CHILD'S EVERY MOVE WITHOUT A SMARTPHONE? THE WORLD IS TERRIFYING AND THEY ARE IN CONSTANT PERIL"
Maybe the causes of children's anxiety are a bit more complex
#R4Today
Reposted by Joanna Abena Fianu
The fact a *single* Amazon full-time employee requires SNAP benefits should be a crime. The fact Amazon is the largest employer of SNAP recipients is a disgrace. Jeff Bezos shouldnt be that rich; he should be in jail.
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The fact a *single* Amazon full-time employee requires SNAP benefits should be a crime. The fact Amazon is the largest employer of SNAP recipients is a disgrace. Jeff Bezos shouldnt be that rich; he should be in jail.
So if I am understanding correctly the two Black men on board were arrested & this fact was extensively reported but now it seems one of these men was actually the lone attacker.
I hope someone has apologised to the second completely innocent man arrested for complicity in an horrific knife attack
I hope someone has apologised to the second completely innocent man arrested for complicity in an horrific knife attack
November 3, 2025 at 9:04 AM
So if I am understanding correctly the two Black men on board were arrested & this fact was extensively reported but now it seems one of these men was actually the lone attacker.
I hope someone has apologised to the second completely innocent man arrested for complicity in an horrific knife attack
I hope someone has apologised to the second completely innocent man arrested for complicity in an horrific knife attack
When you live with someone from the majority world you start to realise how insanely complicated life in the UK is. Even the simplest thing needs tests, paperwork, evidence. Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner falling foul of almost Kafkaesque bureaucratic property laws is extremely unsurprising to me
October 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
When you live with someone from the majority world you start to realise how insanely complicated life in the UK is. Even the simplest thing needs tests, paperwork, evidence. Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner falling foul of almost Kafkaesque bureaucratic property laws is extremely unsurprising to me
I wonder if the current Royal family's belated decision to go No Contact with Andrew is partly because William, unlike his Dad, has a daughter. Is he an example of those men who "as the father of a daughter" suddenly become conscious of how shittily some men treat women and treat it seriously?
October 31, 2025 at 6:28 AM
I wonder if the current Royal family's belated decision to go No Contact with Andrew is partly because William, unlike his Dad, has a daughter. Is he an example of those men who "as the father of a daughter" suddenly become conscious of how shittily some men treat women and treat it seriously?
Finally someone on #r4today talking about the Kafkaesque visa renewal system. You have to be earning £41,700 to get a skilled worker visa. Prison officers certainly deserve this and certainly don't earn it. Disingenuous of the government who sets their wages to suggest they apply
October 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Finally someone on #r4today talking about the Kafkaesque visa renewal system. You have to be earning £41,700 to get a skilled worker visa. Prison officers certainly deserve this and certainly don't earn it. Disingenuous of the government who sets their wages to suggest they apply
Reposted by Joanna Abena Fianu
The way the Today show has interviewed two separate white tourist families about the Jamaica storm in the last 15 mn, but not one of the hundreds of thousands of dual citizens or Britons with Jamaican relatives tells you all you need to know about immigrant representation in this country’s media.
October 28, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The way the Today show has interviewed two separate white tourist families about the Jamaica storm in the last 15 mn, but not one of the hundreds of thousands of dual citizens or Britons with Jamaican relatives tells you all you need to know about immigrant representation in this country’s media.
This is exactly what needs to be done across the majority world. For many low income countries tariffs make it too expensive to export any goods that have been processed, entrenching poverty. But keeping the raw materials (vegetable & mineral) in the country means you're forced to add value inhouse
Here’s an example of something interesting and important I learned today from @shamjaff.bsky.social. A link to her free weekly newsletter of underreported stories is in her profile. 📰
October 28, 2025 at 8:20 AM
This is exactly what needs to be done across the majority world. For many low income countries tariffs make it too expensive to export any goods that have been processed, entrenching poverty. But keeping the raw materials (vegetable & mineral) in the country means you're forced to add value inhouse
My cat likes sitting behind the curtains and peering in between when you enter the room. Yesterday she booped me on both cheeks with her two front paws
I am living with the ghost of Eric Morecambe in feline form.
I am living with the ghost of Eric Morecambe in feline form.
October 27, 2025 at 9:26 AM
My cat likes sitting behind the curtains and peering in between when you enter the room. Yesterday she booped me on both cheeks with her two front paws
I am living with the ghost of Eric Morecambe in feline form.
I am living with the ghost of Eric Morecambe in feline form.
I'm an Irish citizen but not resident so I didn't get a vote in the Presidential election
But I would have been part of the 63% who voted for Catherine Connolly and she seems like a breath of fresh air among the insurgent rightward creep in the rest of Europe #Aras
But I would have been part of the 63% who voted for Catherine Connolly and she seems like a breath of fresh air among the insurgent rightward creep in the rest of Europe #Aras
October 26, 2025 at 10:56 AM
I'm an Irish citizen but not resident so I didn't get a vote in the Presidential election
But I would have been part of the 63% who voted for Catherine Connolly and she seems like a breath of fresh air among the insurgent rightward creep in the rest of Europe #Aras
But I would have been part of the 63% who voted for Catherine Connolly and she seems like a breath of fresh air among the insurgent rightward creep in the rest of Europe #Aras
Accidentally started watching one of those "drop an episode a week" dramas last night and was completely confused by the ending until I realized we're only half way through
October 26, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Accidentally started watching one of those "drop an episode a week" dramas last night and was completely confused by the ending until I realized we're only half way through