Women Commended for their Contribution to Agricultural Development

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Mr. Matthias Berthold from the European Union Ghana Agriculture Programme (EU-GAP) Coordinating Unit has praised women for their pivotal role in the agricultural sector’s development in Ghana. However, he emphasized that their true potential could be fully realized only with adequate access to resources and support.

Addressing attendees at Dapuoha community in the Wa Municipality to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” Mr. Berthold, who serves as the Project Manager for Resilience Against Climate Change (REACH), highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting women in agriculture.

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Organized by the German Cooperation for International Development (GIZ) under the EU-GAP, the event brought together smallholder women farmers from the region along with representatives from various departments and agencies, including the Department of Agriculture.

Referring to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Ghana, which indicates that about 52 percent of the country’s labor force is engaged in agriculture, with approximately 39 percent of the farm labor force being women, Mr. Berthold stressed the significance of addressing the barriers faced by women in accessing crucial agricultural resources like land.

He urged for prioritizing women’s empowerment through equitable access to resources, whether through targeted investments or reallocation of existing ones, emphasizing the need to bridge the gender gap and break down barriers hindering women’s full participation in agriculture.

Mr. Berthold highlighted initiatives such as the Market-Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP-NW) and the REACH Project, which provide women farmers with business development services aimed at enhancing their income as agro-processors. These initiatives also offer access to finance, training, and information, leveraging innovative digital platforms to improve farming activities.

Additionally, partnerships with approximately 600 Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) groups are underway to enhance women’s access to finance, training, and capacity building.

Madam Benedette Naab, the Woman in Agricultural Development (WIAD) Officer at the Wa Municipal Agricultural Directorate, emphasized that investing in women is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic approach to accelerating progress and creating a more inclusive world.

Madam Emilia Nimbebiir, a farmer from Ketuo community in the Nandom Municipality, called upon the government to support women farmers, citing the positive impact of agricultural equipment provided by the EU-GAP, including rippers and roller planters, on her farming activities.