The Greater Rural Opportunities for Women 2 (GROW2) project, led by Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) and funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), is set to hold a workshop in Tamale from March 12 to 14, 2025.
The event aims to assess progress and explore new ways to strengthen the soybean and groundnut markets in Northern Ghana.
The Integrated Market System Assessment (IMSA) Review Workshop, under the theme “Identifying Opportunities to Accelerate Sustainable Outcomes and System Change,” will bring together government officials, private sector actors, development partners, and women farmers.
Discussions will focus on the implementation of past IMSA recommendations and how they have influenced agricultural market systems in the region.
Supporting women in agriculture
One of the key objectives of the GROW2 project is to empower women farmers and agribusinesses by addressing barriers such as limited access to finance, land, technology, and quality agricultural inputs. These challenges often limit their productivity and economic potential.
A platform for learning and innovation
Francis Essuman, the Country Project Manager for GROW2, said the workshop will allow experts and farmers to exchange ideas and improve the project’s impact.
“This workshop will help us reflect on what has worked so far and what can be improved to ensure lasting benefits for farmers and businesses,” he said.
The event will be facilitated by MEDA’s Business Value Creation Leads, Regina Nyakinyua and Dr. Zakaria Issahaku. It will include presentations on findings from past research, challenges faced by farmers, and ideas to improve agricultural business beyond the project’s end.
The GROW2 project is a five-year initiative that supports 40,000 smallholder women farmers, 5,000 entrepreneurs, and 50 agribusinesses in Northern Ghana. It focuses on climate-smart farming, better nutrition, and gender equality.
As the project moves toward its final stage, this workshop will help shape its future and ensure long-term benefits for farmers in the country.
About MEDA
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) is an international economic development organisation that creates business solutions to alleviate poverty. The organisation builds on its 71 years of experience by contributing to economic and social growth and innovation in frontier and emerging markets. With its headquarters in Ontario, Canada and one of its regional offices in Dakar- Senegal, MEDA has built a ten-year legacy in Ghana with projects such as the Mastercard Foundation Africa
