Agrihouse Foundation, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, has successful hosted the regional rotational event, the 8th edition of the Women in Food and Agriculture Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards (WOFAGRIC) in Damongo in the Savannah Region of Ghana.
The 2026 edition brought together women farmers, farmers with disability agripreneurs, agricultural professionals, processors, input dealers and other actors across the agricultural value chain, creating a powerful platform to celebrate women whose resilience, innovation and commitment continue to drive food production, agribusiness and community development.
The Agrihouse flagship initiative, Women in Food and Agriculture Leadership Training Forum(WOFAGRIC) and the Gold in the Soil Awards was celebrated under the theme: “Closing the Gender Gap: Empowering Rural Women Farmers through Equitable Access to Finance, Mechanization, Agricultural Inputs and Extension Services,”
According to the Executive Chair of Agrihouse Foundation Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the theme is a call to action, because we cannot talk about transforming agriculture while the women who produce so much of our food continue to face barriers that limit their growth.
She indicated that, A hardworking woman farmer should not struggle to access affordable finance, she should not miss a farming season because mechanization services are unavailable or too expensive, she should not struggle to buy quality seeds, fertilizers and crop protection products and also, she should not be left without extension services and technical advice that can improve productivity and build resilience against climate change.
“Closing the gender gap means creating opportunities that allow women not just to participate in agriculture, but to lead, innovate, own businesses, create jobs and thrive”, she said.
The 8th WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards empowered over 500 women farmers, providing a platform not only for training and knowledge-sharing but also for recognizing women whose work is making a meaningful contribution to Ghana’s agricultural transformation.
The Gold in the Soil Awards once again laid emphasis on exceptional women whose stories demonstrate that agriculture is not merely a means of livelihood, but a pathway to economic empowerment, job creation, food security, innovation and community development.
In the 7 Districts/Municipals in the Savannah, over 150 filed nomination through the online nomination process, 54 were shortlisted but 15 outstanding women and one supportive man was identified for recognition, culminating in the celebration of their remarkable contributions across several award categories.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA’S EIGHT-YEAR IMPACT
The 8th edition was also a celebration of an important milestone: eight years of Global Affairs Canada’s support for WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards.
The partnership has provided training, mentorship, leadership development, networking and recognition opportunities for rural women farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, processors, marketers and farmers living with disabilities.
The impact of the program has reached approximately 20,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries across Ghana. Women who started as smallholder farmers have moved into: Agro-processing, Value addition, Market development, Transportation, Enterprise development, Technology adoption, Job creation and Export
The partnership has therefore helped reposition women from being viewed only as beneficiaries to being recognised as economic actors and leaders within Ghana’s agricultural economy.
Bawa Damata, a 45-year-old physically challenged poultry farmer from Nominayili in the North East Gonja District, made history as the first woman farmer with a disability to emerge as the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award winner in the eight-year history of the awards scheme.
At the 8th WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards, the spotlight was on Damata’s resilience, commitment and outstanding contribution to poultry production earned her the crown.
Her recognition represents more than an individual achievement. It is a powerful demonstration that disability does not have to be a barrier to agricultural productivity.
Damata’s story reflects the resilience of a woman who continue to pursue agricultural as a livelihood despite the challenges comes with her physical disability while contributing to food production and the economic development of her communities.
Her historic achievement sends a strong message to other women and persons with disabilities that agriculture remains a sector where determination, hard work and commitment can create opportunities and inspire others.
Rafiatu Iddisah – Change Champion Award Winner
A 33 years old, Mary Badu, a tutor at Damongo Agric College in the Savannah Region is showing that women can succeed in agricultural mechanization.
The agribusiness specialist emerged as the winner of the She Operates Category at the 8th WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards for her outstanding work in operating, managing and maintaining tractor services.
Through her work, Mary earns a living while helping farmers improve their productivity by providing access to mechanized agricultural services. Her contribution is particularly significant in a sector where access to machinery remains a challenge for women farmers.
Beyond her own work, Mary is committed to preparing the next generation of women for opportunities in agricultural mechanization. She trains and mentor’s young female students, equipping them with practical knowledge and skills in tractor operation and maintenance.
Her story is an example of how young women can move beyond traditional perceptions of agricultural roles and establish themselves in technical areas that have historically been dominated by men.
Mary’s achievement demonstrates that when women are given the opportunity, skills and support to participate in mechanization, they can become both operators and mentors, creating pathways for more young women to enter the agricultural sector.
Rafiatu Iddisah – Change Champion Award Winner
At 53 years old, Rafiatu Iddisah is the champion that causes positive change in her community, provision of water through the drilling of boreholes and free health screening. She operates her farms in Daboya and Kpanshegu in the Savannah Region. Distinguishing herself through her extensive agricultural enterprise and commitment to food production.
Her farming activities span a wide range of crops, including rice, maize, soybeans, sorghum, groundnuts, millet, cassava and poultry. With an impressive 570 acres under her, support smallholder farmers especially women and aggregate farm produce for sale. The aggregator represents the scale and determination of women who are contributing significantly to Ghana’s food production.
Rafiatu’s farming enterprise (Boresa Investment) places her at an important point within the food value chain, producing crops that serve as sources of food, income and raw materials for other agricultural activities.
Her recognition reflects the strength of a woman who despite the challenges, continue to expand her agricultural enterprises while contributing to the food security, providing employment to young people and economic development of her communities.
Benkro Warche Hawa Haruna – Princess Carla Award
A 58 years old, Benkro Warche Hawa Harana a Queen mother from Chama in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region has built an expansive and diversified her agricultural activities include cashew, moringa, cassava, maize, sorghum and soybean with 460 acres dedicated to farming.
Her diverse crop portfolio demonstrates the importance of diversification in building resilient agricultural business. Through her farming activities, Hawa contributes to food production while also participating in crops with significant commercial and value-chain potential.
Her recognition at the 8th WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards celebrates years of dedication and commitment to agriculture and highlights the important contribution of women farmers in the Savannah Region.
Hajia Azara Bukari Kansawurche (Dr) – Royal Agro Award Winner
A 68 years old, Hajia Azara Bukari Kansawurche (Dr) of Sawla in the Savannah Region continues to demonstrate that age is no barrier to agricultural leadership and productivity.
With the support of her son, she combines crop production and livestock, with activities covering cassava, maize, cashew and poultry across 82 acres of land.
As the recipient of the Royal Agro Award, Hajia Azara represents the connection between leadership, experience and agriculture. Her continued involvement in farming demonstrates the role experienced Queen Mothers can play in sustaining agricultural knowledge and inspiring younger generations.
Her journey is a reminder that agricultural leadership is built not only through production, but also through years of commitment, experience and service to the sector.
Abonjuah Zinatu Wandaga – Agri Inputs Sales Woman Award Winner
A 40 years old, Abonjuah Zinatu Wandaga of Buipe in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region has built an enterprise that connects farmers with agricultural inputs while also engaging directly in farming and value addition.
Her work as an agricultural inputs dealer places her at a critical point in the agricultural value chain, helping farmers access products needed to improve production.
Beyond input sales, Abonjuah aggregate farm produce for sale, cultivates maize, groundnuts and soybeans and is involved in the processing of tombrown and shea butter. Her farm covers 29 acres.
She is an example of how women can participate in multiple stages of the agricultural value chain, moving from input supply and production into processing and value addition.
Abonjuah Zinatu Wandaga recognition celebrates her contribution to agriculture and her role in making agricultural inputs and value-added products more accessible within her community.
Emmanuel Korankye – Supportive Agri-Man Award Winner
The 29 years old, Emmanuel Korankye an Agricultural Extension Officer serves in the Nominayili area in the North East Gonja of the Savannah Region was recognized with the Supportive Agri-Man Award.
As an Agricultural Officer, Emmanuel represents the important role men can play in supporting women and strengthening the agricultural value chain.
The Supportive Agri-Man Award celebrates men whose work, commitment and professional contribution help create an enabling environment for women to succeed in agriculture.
Emmanuel’s recognition reinforces the message that the transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector requires collaboration across gender, professions and communities.
Stephen Abibata – She Innovate Award Winner
Stephen Abibata ,48 years old from Damongo – Canteen in the Savannah Region of Ghana works along the various stages of the agricultural value chain including processing. Her activities in the value chain demonstrates the power of innovation and value addition.
She is into the processing of groundnut paste, kulikuli, honey, dawadawa powder and shea butter, alongside the cultivation of maize, groundnuts, soybeans, pepper and tomatoes across 50 acres.
By combining farming with processing, Stephen is creating additional value from agricultural produce and participating in different stages of the food value chain.
Stephen Abibata dedication shows how women can move beyond primary production and build businesses around processing, packaging and market opportunities.
Her recognition with the She Innovate Award celebrates her creativity, resilience and ability to turn agricultural production into opportunities for value creation and income generation.
Justina Blessing Asagtimbey – Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award Winner
34 years old, Justina Blessing Asagtimbey of Damongo in the Savannah Region was recognized as the Outstanding Woman in Extension Services.
This award highlights the critical contribution of extension professionals who work directly with farmers, helping to bridge the gap between agricultural knowledge and practical application.
Through extension services, women like Justina contribute to improving farmers’ access to information, technical guidance and improved agricultural practices, formation of Cooperatives and seeking external support for women farmers.
Her award is a recognition of the importance of women professionals in strengthening agricultural extension and supporting farmers to improve their productivity and resilience.
Ayi Yakubu – Diamond in the Rough Award Winner
At 81 years old, Ayi Yakubu of Achubunyor in the West Gonja District of the Savannah Region still engage in active farming, she is a powerful example of endurance and lifelong commitment to agriculture.
she farms maize, soybeans, Bambara beans, groundnuts and cashew, cultivated on a 17 acres of land.
At an age when many have retired or could barely move or would consider stepping away from active farming, Ayi continues to demonstrate commitment to agricultural production.
Her recognition with the Diamond in the Rough Award celebrates the depth of experience, resilience and dedication she brings to agriculture over many decades.
Ayi’s story is a reminder that farming is not simply an occupation but, for many women, a lifelong commitment to feeding families, supporting communities and preserving agricultural knowledge.
Sanatu Zuberu – Feed to Food Award Winner
At 38 years old, Sanatu Zuberu of Nominayili in the Savannah Region is contributing to the agricultural value chain through poultry and maize production.
Her work brings together livestock and crop production, shows the interconnected nature of agricultural and the importance of linking feed production and food production.
Through her poultry and maize farming, Sanatu contributes to local food production while building an agricultural livelihood for herself and her community.
Her recognition with the Feed to Food Award celebrates her contribution to the journey from agricultural production to food on the table.
Salamatу N. Sakara – Climate Smart Award Winner
Salamatu N. Sakara a 37 years old from Busunu in the Savannah Region is combining farming, processing, packaging and marketing while employing climate mitigation practice, she prepares and use her own organic manure in her farm.
She cultivates maize, groundnuts and soybeans and is also involved in egushe, tombrown and shea butter processing, packaging and marketing. Her farming operations cover six acres.
Her activities along the value chain exhibit the value of adding processing and marketing to primary agricultural production, showing farmers can participate in more stages of the value chain.
Her recognition with the Climate Smart Award celebrates her efforts and commitment within agriculture while highlighting the importance of resilient and diversified agricultural livelihoods.
Wumanna Beebelmah – Super Woman Farmer Award Winner
Wumanna Beebelmah a 55 years old blind farmer from Tuna in the Savannah Region despite being physically challenged continues farm, her determination and commitment to remain active in agriculture exemplifies disability is not inability.
She cultivates maize and groundnuts on approximately two and a half acres of farmland.
As a person living with disability who refuse to be held back by her disability, her recognition with the Super Woman Farmer Award celebrates her perseverance and contribution to food production, demonstrating that agricultural impact is not always measured by the size of a farm but also by the commitment, resilience and determination of the farmer.
Wumanna’s story reflects the strength of differently able women farmers who continue to work the land and contribute to the livelihoods of their families and communities.
Adams Safia – Passion for Farm Award Winner
Adams Safia 29 years old from Kpalibe in the North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region represents the energy and determination of a new generation of women farmers. The mix farmer cultivate maize, millet, soybeans and poultry, covering eight acres.
Her decision to produce cereals as feed for her poultry and use the proceeds to fund her fashion business shows a varied approach to farming and provides her with opportunities across different areas of the agricultural value chain.
As the recipient of the Passion for Farm Award, Safia represents young women who are choosing agriculture as a livelihood and demonstrating that farming can provide meaningful opportunities for the younger generation.
Yakubu Memuna – Star Woman Agripreneur Award Winner
As young women at just 28 years old, Yakubu Memuna of Nominayili in the Savannah Region is emerging as a promising young agripreneur.
Innovatively combining poultry and maize production with marketing and sales of her produce.
Her recognition with the Star Woman Agripreneur Award celebrates her entrepreneurial spirit and shows the growing participation of young women in agriculture.
Memuna’s story highlights the potential of agriculture to provide opportunities for young women to build businesses, generate income and contribute to food production.
Her achievement is an encouragement to other young women who are considering agriculture not simply as farming, but as an entrepreneurial and economic opportunity.
Salifu Jamila – Lady of the Region Award Winner
Salifu Jamila,32 from the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region, earned recognition with the Lady of the Region Award for her work in processing, packaging, marketing and sales, including the export of agricultural products.
Beyond value addition she cultivates Cashew groundnuts, maize, soybeans, cowpea, millet, Bambara beams and cassava on a 115 acres while managing 250 farmer groups in and around savannah.
Her work exemplified the importance of value addition and market access in transforming agricultural production into sustainable businesses.
By participating in processing, packaging, marketing and export, Jamila operates beyond primary production and connects agricultural products to wider markets.
Her recognition celebrates the contribution of women who are helping move Ghanaian agricultural products from farms and processing facilities into local and international markets.
Her story reflects the growing role of women in creating value, building markets and positioning agricultural products for commercial opportunities beyond their immediate communities.
Their stories also demonstrate that agricultural transformation goes beyond production. It includes mechanization, processing, packaging, marketing, extension, innovation, input distribution, poultry production and market development.
The recognition of Bawa Damata as the Ultimate Gold in the Soil Award winner is particularly significant. Her achievement as a woman farmer with a disability adds a powerful dimension to the 2026 awards and reinforces the importance of creating inclusive opportunities within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Also supporting the WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards include Yara Ghana and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The 8th edition, therefore stands not only as a celebration of agricultural excellence, but also as a platform for amplifying the voices, experiences and aspirations of women whose work is contributing to the transformation of Ghana’s food systems.
As these women continue to farm, process, innovate, mentor, create jobs and open new markets, their stories provide inspiration for the next generation of women to view agriculture as a sector of dignity, opportunity, entrepreneurship and national development.
The 2026 edition is a testament to what can be achieved when women are recognized, empowered and given the platform to tell their stories.
Their journeys are not just stories of farming. They are stories of resilience. They are stories of innovation. They are stories of leadership. And, above all, they are stories of women helping to shape the future of agriculture in Ghana.
To celebrate and shine a spotlight on the achievements of these exceptional women making waves in the agricultural sector across the Savannah Region, a special documentary has been produced to capture their inspiring stories.
This documentary will highlight their journeys, resilience, innovations, and the meaningful impact they are making within their communities and beyond. The documentary will air on Wednesday, september 9 and Wednesday, September 23, 2026 on Ayekoo, UTV.
As we wrap up this celebration of excellence and empowerment, we once again extend our heartfelt gratitude to Global Affairs Canada, Yara Ghana, Chemico, Qualiplast, Chicken4U for their constant support and partnership over the past.