In an inspiring address at the 5th Women in Food and Agriculture Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards, Candace Holt, the Agriculture Sector Lead at the High Commission of Canada in Ghana , championed gender equality and women’s empowerment in Ghana’s agriculture sector.
speaking at the fifth Women in Food and Agriculture Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards ,held at the Bedtime Hotel in Koforidua from 26th to 27th July, centered around the theme “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders.Candace Holt,underscored the pivotal role of agriculture, including agribusiness, in empowering women and reducing poverty in Ghana. She emphasized the significance of supporting women farmers and women-led agribusinesses, recognizing their vital contributions to the nation’s economic growth and the promotion of a more equitable society.
Advocating for women’s voices to be heard, Candace Holt urged for greater representation in agricultural cooperatives, farmers’ associations, and rural organizations, creating platforms for active participation and ensuring their interests are adequately represented.
“Our vision is to see women farmers thriving, benefiting from the entire agricultural value chain, generating employment, and sustaining their agribusinesses,” expressed Candace Holt fervently. “We envision Ghanaian women-led agribusinesses expanding their horizons beyond the nation’s borders, achieving higher incomes, and contributing significantly to the nation’s economic prosperity.”
While acknowledging the challenges that hinder women’s progress in the agricultural domain, she emphasized the need for a sustainable revenue stream to meet women’s basic needs, support their families, and secure their future. Key barriers, such as limited access to financing, land, and productive resources, as well as unequal access to skills and information compared to men, were brought to the forefront.
In response to these challenges, Candace Holt highlighted Canada’s commitment to addressing disparities and empowering women in Ghana’s agricultural sector. She stressed the importance of empowering women to take charge and actively participate in decision-making processes, enabling them to overcome barriers effectively.
As a noteworthy example, Holt pointed to Canada’s support for women through projects like the Women’s Economic Advancement for Collective Transformation (WEACT) project, spearheaded by Oxfam-Québec. This project has been instrumental in redressing gender imbalances in leadership roles within cooperatives, aiming to amplify women’s voices and contributions .
Global Affairs Canada has for the past five years shown a continued commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of women farmers by sponsoring the women in food and agricultural training forum and gold in the soil awards which seeks to recognize, honour and celebrate women farmers and farmers with disability,
Candace Holt’s impassioned address served as a rallying cry for all stakeholders, including the government, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to unite in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for women in food and agriculture.
By embracing gender-responsive initiatives and empowering women in the agricultural landscape, Ghana can unlock its full potential for sustainable growth, food security, and poverty reduction, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s development.
BY:AGRIWATCH REPORTER
