Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has officially taken up the mantle as the Chief Patron for Agrihouse Foundation’s Gathering of the Royals, which for the past eight years has remained the leading platform for in-depth dialogue and action-oriented discussions among Queen Mothers, traditional leaders and policymakers, who are spearheading growth and development in the agricultural value chain within their respective Regions. The initiative annually brings together over 800 women farmers, Queen mothers in agriculture and other agribusiness champions, to delve deep into finding common solutions pertaining to burning issues influencing women’s advancement in agribusiness and in the development of sustainable Farmer within their respective communities.
The role carries deep symbolic weight, as Hon. Dr. Zanetor steps into the influential space previously occupied by her extraordinary mother and national icon, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, continuing a legacy of empowering Ghana’s traditional female leaders in the agricultural value chain.
The Member of Parliament accepted the mantle after a call on her by the Agrihouse Foundation team, six prominent Queen mothers, and some selected AGSTUD Bootcamp beneficiaries on Friday, February 16, 2026.
Speaking to the delegation, Hon. Dr. Zanetor expressed the “honor” for being requested to take up the mantle as the Chief Patron, highlighting the impactful role of women within the agricultural value chain. She emphasized that women’s well-being and advancement was at the center and heart of the former first lady, for which she worked tirelessly and achieved measurable impact, which till date has laid the foundation for women. She vowed to support this initiative to ensure more women succeed in the agricultural sector. Dr. Zanetor stated that she is humbled to carry the torch, pledging her commitment to work with Agrihouse Foundation and the Queen mothers to reach more women and increase its impact.
Dr. Zanetor further revealed her commitment to continue as the patron for the Agricultural Students’ Career Guidance and Mentorship Bootcamp (AGSTUD) initiative, a position she has held over the past eight years. AGSTUD is an intentional initiative that has enabled and established over 7200 students, agri-youth, and beginner agribusinesses who have passed through the bootcamp in various cycles within the agribusiness value chain. The initiative supports beneficiary bootcampers with all necessary resources (knowledge, skill, funds, mentorship, etc.) to start their own businesses and also connecting them to agribusiness companies for employment.
On her part, Ms Akosa thanked Dr. Zanetor for accepting the mantle of legacy to step into the extraordinary shoes the former first lady wore. The Queen mothers also thanked Hon. Dr. Zanetor for stepping up to carry the mantle.
The six prominent Queen mothers who were part of the delegation included, President of the Anlo Queens Council of the Volta Region, Mama Wotorbe II; Nana Afia Darko from the Suhum Traditional Area of the Eastern Region; Mama Ayipe Ama III from the Abutia Traditional Area of the Volta Region; Mamaga Ewui Enyeatseku III who is the Paramount Queen for Avenor Atsiame Traditional Area of the Volta Region.
The bootcampers also extended their gratitude to Dr. Zanetor for her instrumental role played through AGSTUD which has transformed their lives.
The selected AGSTUD Bootcamp beneficiaries who formed part of the delegation included James Kpormegbe who joined the bootcamp from Inglehsie Amanfro Senior High School, Janet Ahadzi who joined from from the University of Cape Coast; Loreen Xorlali Hodor also joined as a student from the University of Cape Coast, and Hamid Mohammed Shaban also joined the bootcamp from Bunso Cocoa College.