Tomorrow, July 9 2025 , I will proudly lead Agrihouse Foundation in opening the 7th edition of the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards, here at the Pempamsie Hotel in Cape Coast in the Central Region.
This two-day interventional initiative , which continues through Thursday, July 10, is one of our most impactful efforts focused on empowering, equipping, mentoring, and celebrating the incredible women transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector.
This year’s theme, “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development,” calls us to reflect deeply and act boldly. It highlights the very real challenges women across the value chain face, barriers such as limited access to land, finance, markets, inputs, knowledge, and leadership roles. Through this platform, we are not only acknowledging these issues, we are creating space and solutions to help women overcome them.
When Agrihouse Foundation , first envisioned WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards seven years ago, it was out of a strong desire to shift women in agriculture from the margins to the center. We wanted their stories to be heard, their contributions seen, their leadership encouraged, and their challenges met with real support. Today, I’m proud to say this vision has grown into a movement that is reaching lives and changing communities.
Since its inception, we have rotated the event from region to region, from Volta, Ashanti, Western, Western North, Upper East, Upper West, Eastern, Bono, and now the Central Region, impacting more than 20,000 women, including women farmers with disabilities, processors, agripreneurs, input dealers, and others across the agricultural space.
As we prepare to welcome hundreds of participants tomorrow, I know they can expect a dynamic, hands-on, and transformative experience. We’ve designed a robust programme that includes training sessions, technical field demonstrations, one-on-one mentorship opportunities, and a breakout initiative we call “10-to-1” discussion which will provide practical learning in areas like farm safety, business and financial management, nutrition, climate-smart practices, export development, and agribusiness investment.
There will also be interactive panel discussions which will include , Disability Panel Discussion and , Panel conversation with Partners and stakeholders exhibitions, and case study presentations led by successful women-led agribusinesses. These activities will allow participants to explore, network, and strengthen their capacity for growth and leadership.
The highlight of the forum will take place on the second day with the Gold in the Soil Awards ceremony, an inspiring moment where we honour the remarkable women who are redefining agriculture in their communities.
This year, we are presenting awards in 18 categories: the Super Woman Farmer Award, Passion for Farm Award, Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award, Royal Agro Award, Diamond in the Rough Award, Feed to Food Award, Change Champion Award, She Innovates Award, Climate-Smart Women Project Award, Lady of the Region Export Award, Star Woman Agripreneur Award,
She-Operates Award, Long Standing Development and Program Partner Award, Princess Carla Award, Agri-Input Sales Woman of the Year, Sustainable Growth and Impact Partner Award the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award, and the Supportive Agri-Man Award, which honors male champions who support women in agriculture.
These awards are not just recognitions, they are affirmations of value, platforms of visibility, and encouragements to continue thriving. Through this initiative, we have shared more than 700 powerful stories of women in agriculture, stories that continue to educate, inspire, and influence.
I am especially moved by the continued commitment to celebrating women farmers with disabilities, our “Superwomen,” who embody courage, resilience, and excellence in spite of physical limitations. Their work speaks volumes, and this year, we are proud to be documenting and sharing their stories through a dedicated documentary series.
This year’s theme is a timely reminder that Ghana and Africa at large cannot achieve food security, climate resilience, and inclusive growth without women. Women represent more than half of Ghana’s agricultural labour force, yet they continue to face the steepest hurdles. Through WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards, Agrihouse Foundation is responding with practical action, purposeful advocacy, and strong partnerships.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our partners, Global Affairs Canada, Yara Ghana, our sponsors, agricultural directors, traditional leaders, and my dedicated Agrihouse team. I am deeply grateful to all of you.
As we finalize preparations tonight, I am filled with anticipation and hope. Tomorrow, we begin another powerful chapter. We will learn, we will connect, and we will celebrate. And together, we will continue building a future in which women in agriculture are not only included but are leading boldly, innovating widely, and overcoming every barrier in their path.
— Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa
Executive Director, Agrihouse Foundation
