In Salfa No. 2 in Abura Dunkwa, the story of Ekua Hawa stands as a powerful testament to resilience and purpose. At 50 years old, Ekua has turned personal adversity into a source of strength, feeding not just her family but her community, and inspiring others along the way.
Two decades ago, a life-changing accident left Ekua with severely damaged legs. Where many might have given up, she chose to rise. With no alternative path in sight, she turned to the land and began to farm. Today, her two-acre farm is a symbol of hope and perseverance. She cultivates a variety of crops including pepper, tomatoes, garden eggs, cassava, corn, cocoa, and plantain.
“Farming became my only way out,” Ekua reflects. “And it has taken me far.”
Through the harvests from her land, she has raised and educated five children, all of whom now work in various cities across Ghana. Yet her efforts do not stop with her own family. Ekua is known in her village for her generosity. Even when she has little, she shares portions of her produce with those in need, ensuring no one is left behind.
Despite her achievements, the road has not been easy. She works with two to five hired hands during peak farming periods, but access to critical tools and inputs remains a major challenge. Fertilizer is scarce, knapsack sprayers are unavailable, and transporting produce from her remote village to market is a constant struggle.
“Our village is far from town. When there’s no transport, my crops rot on the farm. It’s painful to watch your hard work go to waste,” she says.
Still, Ekua remains committed to using her story to inspire. She often speaks with young people in her community, encouraging them to embrace agriculture as a meaningful and sustainable livelihood. “I talk to them all the time,” she says. “I tell them that farming can change their lives, but most of them don’t listen.”
This year, Ekua Hawa’s remarkable journey is being recognized at the national level. She is a nominee for the 2025 Gold in the Soil Awards, a prestigious recognition under the 7th Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC). The event is an initiative by Agrihouse Foundation, with support from Global Affairs Canada and Yara Ghana, designed to highlight the efforts of women transforming agriculture across the country.
The 2025 edition of WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards will take place from 9th to 10th July in the Central Region. It will shine a spotlight on women like Ekua, whose daily sacrifices and steadfast spirit are helping to reshape Ghana’s agricultural future.
In a time when rural farmers are too often overlooked, Ekua Hawa’s story reminds us of the quiet power that lives in Ghana’s countryside. Her life is one of grit, grace and generosity, a story not just of survival, but of leadership and legacy.
Through her tireless efforts, Ekua is planting far more than crops. She is cultivating strength, hope and opportunity for the generations that will follow.
