The sixth edition of the AgriWoman Marketplace was crowned with the inauguration of the ‘Agriwoman Marketplace Business Club,’ and the selection of a seven member executive team to coordinate the affairs of the Club.
The Marketplace, which is an interventional project fully funded and organized by Agrihouse Foundation, is a monthly farmers market event that seeks to expand market accessibility for women farmers, agri- processor, input dealers and information technology providers; to help them recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, as the women’s farmers market continues to grow, it is important for the beneficiaries to get more involved, in ways that will encourage to be more committed to the initiative, whiles bringing on board their own creativity and technical skills to help further grow the project.
Thus, the need for the Agriwoman Marketplace Business Club, which is aimed helping the agri-women properly structure and coordinate the efforts as agripreneurs; to help them expand their initiatives and attract new opportunities within the agric space.
“The Agriwoman Marketplace and the new business club is an initiative for women by women, powered by Agrihouse Foundation,” Ms. Akosa emphasized in an interview.
She said, “It is rewarding and fulfilling to see this initiative expand.” “In the first month, we had 22 women Agribusinesses coming round to showcase their products and services, in the second month, it increased to 27. We were financially limited and constrained in the 3rd month, so we could only support seventeen (17) women businesses to come around. But we are happy that in the 5th and 6th month, we have been able to support 35 women businesses,” she added.
She said the new business club will as part of its operations, create a sense of community and partnership amongst the women; support them to develop their business ideas; identify innovative means to expand their markets; and create a platform that allows the women to discuss their challenges and deliberate on solutions. She said the Club would further work closely with Agrihouse Foundation in the implementation of interventional projects that address the concerns of women in agriculture.
In an interview, she expressed her gratitude to the women for accepting their new volunteer roles as executives of the Agriwoman Marketplace Business Club, which would last for a year. She encouraged them to cultivate teamwork, bring their talents and skills on board; to help them initiate creative ideas that will enable the growth of the club and its members.
“We are truly humbled, that we are able to contribute to an agenda, which further strengthen women, scale them up, promote Agri-women products and services, whiles providing an environment for networking,” she noted.
In all, seven enthusiastic and vibrant agriwomen were selected to fill the executive roles of the new club. They include:
President – Madam Serwah Asafu-Adjaye Zoogah, CEO of Food Gourmet Limited. Producers of Barbeque Sauces, Jam and Ketchups.
Vice President – Madam Mavis Walker Blagodzi, CEO of Edis Mart. Producers of Coconut Flakes, popularly known on the market as Yes Koko.
Secretary – Madam Mazia Florence Tomazia Cossou, CEO of Mazia Co. Enterprise. Proucers of Honey honey products and herbal teas.
Organizer – Madam Jacqueline Ruby Sackitey, CEO of Lacqui’s. Producers of peanut butter and groundnut paste.
Treasurer – Madam Bertha Ama Ataawa Kpodo, CEO of Kwambert Enterprise (Olive Spice and Tea). Producers of All-purpose mixed spices, spicy ginger paste, ginger powder, immune boost tea, turkey berries tea and coconut flakes.
Advisory Council – Madam Mabel Quashie, CEO of Aquatics Foods Limited. Producers of Fish Sausage Khebabs.
Advisory Council – Madam Nora Osei Bonsu, CEO of Boufara Farm Fresh Enterprise. Producers of Spinach leaves, Mint Leaves, Coriander Leaves and Dill leaves.
In brief comments, each of the women accepted their new roles as executives, promising to uphold the duties that came with their respective offices.
The President of the Business Club, Madam Serwaa, on behalf of the team, thanked Agrihouse Foundation for giving them an opportunity serve. She said the team, in the coming weeks, would be meeting to draw an agenda and workable plans that will enable them initiate ideas to push the business Club, and its members forward.
More pictures from our 6th Agriwoman Marketplace
