Agriculture though is considered as the backbone for Ghana’s economy, women’s participation over the years has not been encouraging due to some social challenges.
The struggles for lands and lack of capital to mention but a few are part of some of the contributions that confront women in agriculture especially those in the Northern parts of Ghana.
Given that, Agrihouse Foundation as part of its avenues to create and promote women’s participation as well as help build their capacity in agriculture has organized women in food and agricultural leadership training forum and gold in the soil awards to support and mentor women in the agric sector.
The initiative, it says is a special platform that will strengthen the capacity of women to do and achieve great things for themselves in the agricultural industry.
Speaking at the program in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, Founder and Executive Director of AgriHouse, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa noted that, the initiative aimed to honor deserving women whose despite the social challenges still contribute hugely to the agricultural sector.
According to her, the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) is designed to help build the capacity of women farmers and others who are in the Agricultural value chain.
“We want to provide a platform to exchange best practices and share valuable lessons learned in handling and overcoming challenges in the agribusiness.”
Agrihouse Foundation is a non-governmental agricultural capacity building, innovation, and project management organization, with a special focus on changing the perception of, and consciously shaping the conversation on agriculture through the promotion of people-impact programs, projects and initiatives.
Agrihouse Foundation began its WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards project in 2019 and held its first edition in the Volta Region with 800 participants, and its 2nd edition was held in the Ashanti Region in 2020 with 500 participants, many of whom have expanded their capacity for production and marketing.
Touching on this year’s (3rd) edition, Ms. Akosa acknowledged that it will focus on rewarding excellence and incredible women in agriculture who despite the challenges still contribute to shaping the agricultural sector at their various communities.
“We are recognizing and awarding outstanding women in agriculture. The rationale is that if women worldwide had the same access to productive resources, they could boost agricultural production and help lift 100 to 150 million people out of hunger. So, we believe that a platform of ours can help strengthen the women’s contributions to agricultural production and sustainability.”
Stressing on the categories of the awards and deserving women farmers, Ms. Akosa said “ We received 131 women nominees, out of which 50 were shortlisted both in the Upper East and Upper West Regions. The categories of the awards cover 15 stages:- She-Innovates Award, Climate-Smart Women project Award, The Change Champion Award, Lady of the Region Export Award, Development Partner Award, Princess Carla Award, She-Operates Award, Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award, The Super Woman Farmer Award, Star Woman Agripreneur Award, Royal Agro Award, Diamond in the Rouge Award, Feed to Food Award, Passion for the Farm Award, and finally Gold in the Soil Award.”
The method used in selecting the women, she explained began where selected women were sourced through a comprehensive but relatable process that included radio interviews as well as engagement with some assembly members at the various districts.
“…after the nomination process, the jury and selection panel from the National Farmers and Award winner’s Association then do the shortlisting where 50 women were shortlisted. This followed by farm visits where a documentary that will inform the winner selection process by the award panel is produced.”
The event brought together some traditional rulers, stakeholders in government, and women farmers across the Upper East and Upper West Regions including Northern and parts of the Ashanti Region.
The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada, Yara Ghana, Absa Bank, and others.
Source: A1radioonline.com/101.1 MHz/ Moses Apiah/ Ghana
