Global Affairs Canada has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women in all sectors of life, particularly in agribusiness. For the seventh consecutive year, Canada is supporting the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and the Gold in the Soil Awards, two landmark initiatives organized by the Agrihouse Foundation.
This year’s event is scheduled to take place on July 9th and 10th, 2025, in the Central Region, with Global Affairs Canada serving as the official Program Partner.
Through its international assistance programming in Ghana, Global Affairs Canada supports a wide range of initiatives aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment. A major focus of these efforts is addressing the systemic barriers that limit women’s participation and leadership in the agriculture sector. WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards remain key vehicles through which Canada, in partnership with Agrihouse Foundation, is contributing to a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable agricultural sector.
According to Mr. Mathieu Lacasse, Second Secretary at the High Commission of Canada to Ghana and lead for the Agriculture sector, “Canada is proud to continue supporting Agrihouse Foundation’s Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Forum and the Gold in the Soil Awards. These initiatives provide a unique and inclusive platform for women in agriculture to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their achievements.
Farming and agro-processing require tremendous resilience, especially in rural areas where women often face significant challenges in accessing training, technology and finance services. By bringing women together to learn, exchange ideas, and receive well-deserved recognition, WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards help break down these barriers. They empower women to strengthen their livelihoods, make informed decisions, and take on leadership roles in their communities. This is why our partnership with Agrihouse Foundation is so valuable – it advances Canada’s broader commitment to gender equality and inclusive economic growth.”
The 2025 WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil Awards builds on its five years thematic focus, on “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development”. Since its inception, the program has helped reshape public perceptions by celebrating and recognizing the vital contributions of women across Ghana’s agricultural value chain – from farming and processing to marketing, transportation, technology, and input supply.
To date, the event has been held in the Volta, Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West, Western, Western North, Eastern, and Bono Regions, directly impacting over 5,000 rural women in agribusiness and indirectly benefiting over 55,000 people through targeted capacity-building and mentorship sessions.
The two-day event will welcome approximately 650 women participants, with Day One focused on practical training and tailored capacity-building sessions, and Day Two dedicated to the Gold in the Soil Awards ceremony.
The awards recognize excellence in seventeen categories, including:
- Passion for the Farm Award
- She-Innovates Award
- Climate-Smart Women Project Award
- Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award
- Super Woman Farmer Award
- Star Woman Agripreneur Award
- Royal Agro Award
- Feed to Food Award
- Change Champion Award
- Princess Carla Award
- She-Operates
- Supportive Agri-Man
- Agri-Input Sales Woman of the Year
- Lady of the Region Export Award
- Diamond in the Rough Award
- Development Partner Award
- Gold in the Soil Award
Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, expressed her appreciation for the ongoing collaboration: “The partnership between Global Affairs Canada and Agrihouse Foundation stands as a powerful example of shared commitment to women’s empowerment and sustainable agricultural practices. By combining targeted support, national recognition, and capacity-building, initiative strengthens Ghana’s agricultural landscape and underscores the essential role of gender equality in achieving long-term development.”
