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The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Yaw Frimpong Addo, has recommended that the Ghana Association of Female Agricultural and Fish Farmers Award Winners (GAFAFAW) enrols its members as aggregators for the upcoming second phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative. This suggestion was put forth by the deputy minister during the official inauguration of GAFAFAW in the capital city.
Highlighting the advantages of becoming aggregators, he emphasized that women within the association could retain all the inputs provided to them, benefitting from the role. “Given your association and your dual roles as farmers and entrepreneurs, the ministry has extended an opportunity to each one of you. By enrolling, you gain access to the benefits associated with aggregators, allowing you to significantly impact the livelihoods of women,” he articulated.
He further urged the members to demonstrate unwavering commitment, which he believed would pave the way for sustainable agricultural and fish farming practices. “Though challenges will inevitably arise, we should regard them as stepping stones to our growth, achievements, and resilience,” Mr. Addo added optimistically.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ernestina Osei-Tutu, Chairperson of GAFAFAW, conveyed the association’s determination to play a pivotal role in guaranteeing food security within the nation. Nonetheless, she voiced her dissatisfaction with the prevailing sidelining of women in the agricultural domain. “The undeniable reality is that women’s engagement in agricultural policy-making processes and high-value activities along the agricultural value chain remains minimal. If our nation aspires to achieve substantial improvements in this sector, neglecting women in these capacities is untenable,” she asserted.
Citing substantial research, she emphasized the correlation between women’s empowerment and advancements in productivity, efficiency, and technical innovation. “It is imperative that we foster an environment that promotes women’s involvement and amplifies their voices within the sector,” Osei-Tutu stressed.
GAFAFAW, comprising twenty members, represents each of the twenty award-winning female farmers hailing from all sixteen regions of the country. The association’s primary objective is to advocate for women’s roles in the agricultural realm, serving as a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and mentorship amongst its members.
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