In Salfa No. 1 in Abura Dunkwa, a remarkable woman has been tilling not just the soil but also the hearts of her community for more than two decades.
Esther Botchwey, a 46-year-old woman who has lived with a disability since childhood, has turned a life of disappointment into a legacy of strength, service and purpose.
Once a seamstress whose crafted designs were never collected, Esther found herself at a crossroads. Rather than let rejection define her, she turned to the land. Leaving behind her sewing machine, she picked up a hoe and began a new journey that would bring dignity and hope to herself and others.
For the past 22 years, Esther has cultivated cassava, corn, plantain, oranges and cocoa on her modest 1.5-acre farm. What began as a means to survive has grown into something much greater. Today, her farm sustains not only her family but also neighbors in need. Known for her generosity, Esther often shares her harvest freely with vulnerable members of her community.
“When I started farming, I was doing it to survive. But today, it’s how I help others survive too,” she says.
Esther’s work is physically demanding. She employs three temporary laborers to assist her, but the challenges remain significant. Limited access to farming inputs like knapsack sprayers and fertilizers affects her yields. Transporting her produce is also a serious concern. Without reliable transport, she is forced to sell her goods at lower prices directly from the farm.
“Because transportation is hard to come by, buyers come to the farm and take advantage. They buy it cheap, and we lose out,” she explains.
Despite the hardships, Esther remains deeply hopeful. She sees farming not only as a source of income, but as a tool for empowerment, especially for young people. She encourages the youth to see agriculture as a path to self-sufficiency.
“They have their hands and legs. They shouldn’t be idle. Farming is profitable—it gives you dignity and purpose,” she says.
Esther Botchwey’s unwavering spirit and impact have earned her a place among the inspiring nominees for the 2025 Gold in the Soil Awards. This recognition is part of the 7th Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum, organized by Agrihouse Foundation with support from Yara Ghana and Global Affairs Canada.
The event, scheduled for 9th to 10th July in the Central Region, honors the remarkable contributions of rural women in agriculture and food systems across Ghana.
Esther may have started her journey with a quiet hope, but her voice and actions now echo loudly in her community. Her story reminds us that success is not always measured in wealth or fame, but in the lives touched and the seeds of kindness sown. Through her farm, Esther Botchwey is feeding both stomachs and souls, one harvest at a time.
