The 8th edition of the Gathering of the Royals, organized by the Agrihouse Foundation, brought together about 700 Queen Mothers, Market Queens, Chiefs, students, stakeholders, and development partners at GNAT Hall in Accra on March 31, 2026. Held under the theme “Seed of Change: From Leadership to Legacy—Women Transforming the Agrifood Systems,” the event focused on turning commitments into real action.
At the heart of the gathering was the fulfillment of a key promise made during the 7th edition. The Chief Patron, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, together with the Executive Chair of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, presented poultry starter packs to Queen Mothers as part of an Agrihouse-led initiative that compliments the government’s Nkoko Nkikiti program. The project is designed to empower young people in their communities by encouraging and supporting poultry farming.
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa reflected on the journey from last year’s message of hope to this year’s visible impact. She revealed that the Foundation set out to support 100 young women in each region to start poultry businesses, totaling 1,600 women nationwide. Today, that vision is becoming a reality, as Queen Mothers return to their communities not just with chicks, but with the tools needed to build sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized that the support goes beyond just providing day-old chicks. According to her, the package includes feed, vaccines, feeding trays, and other essentials to ensure beneficiaries start on a strong footing. She noted that the goal is not just distribution, but real success for the women and their communities.
The event also marked the launch of a new call to action for the year 2027. The Chief Patron and Member of Parliament for the Korle Klottey Constituency officially launched the call to action, which focuses on strengthening the tomato value chain. She described it as a commitment to building a strong network of tomato producers who can scale up production and add value. She expressed confidence that within a year, stakeholders will reconvene to share measurable progress.
To support this new direction, the 24-hour Economy Secretariat pledged to designate a focal person to work closely with Agrihouse Foundation and selected Queen Mothers. This collaboration will help develop a short-term action plan, including pilot agri-classes aligned with the 24-hour economy framework, ensuring coordinated efforts, clear responsibilities, and measurable results.
Several partners also made key commitments to support the initiative. The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, pledged support in research, development, and capacity building for women in agriculture. GLICO, represented by its Chief Business Development Officer, Mrs. Angela Asante, committed to providing insurance protection for loans. Yara Ghana also pledged fertilizer support, while companies like Qualiplast and Sino Machinery promised to provide equipment to drive the initiative forward.
On his part, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, committed to supporting the call to action while inviting the organizers and the Queen Mothers to engage the committee and share insights into their operations and challenges, so members can better understand and offer the needed support.
He emphasized the critical role of Queen Mothers and Market Queens in transforming agrifood systems, noting that their influence extends across communities, including farmer groups, making them key drivers of change within the sector.
With strong backing from partners, a dedicated team, and the determination of the Queen Mothers, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa expressed confidence in achieving this year’s call to action. She remains hopeful that the collective effort will once again turn vision into lasting impact.
