The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting initiatives that empower women and strengthen traditional leadership within Ghana’s agrifood sector, ahead of this year’s 8th Gathering of the Royals scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026 will be held at the GNAT Hall in Accra under the theme “Seeds of Change: From Leadership to Legacy – Women Transforming the Agrifood System.”
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for local Government Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim at the press briefing of the 8th Gathering of the Royals , on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Agrihouse Foundation office in Dzorwulu, Accra, Angelina Essieh Tommor, Principal Registrar at the Ministry, commended Agrihouse Foundation for what she described as a “laudable and impactful initiative” through the annual Gathering of the Royals.
She noted that the Foundation has consistently demonstrated commitment to promoting agriculture while elevating the role of women particularly queen mothers in national development.
According to Madam Tommor, the Ministry recognizes the Gathering of the Royals as a strategic platform that aligns with its mandate of promoting effective local governance and strengthening the chieftaincy institution.
“The Ministry is proud to be associated with initiatives like this, which not only celebrate traditional leadership but also position queen mothers as key actors in Ghana’s development agenda, especially within the agricultural sector,” she stated.
She emphasized that queen mothers occupy a unique and influential space within Ghanaian society, serving as custodians of culture, advisors within traditional councils, and advocates for women and children. In many rural communities, she explained, their leadership extends into agriculture, where they mobilize women, support farming activities, and promote food security at the household and community levels.
Madam Tommor further highlighted that women form a significant portion of Ghana’s agricultural labor force, yet often face structural constraints such as limited access to land, credit, inputs, and extension services. She noted that empowering queen mothers in the agricultural space is a critical pathway to addressing these challenges, as they are well-positioned to influence change from the grassroots.
“By empowering queen mothers in agriculture, we are strengthening entire communities. Their ability to mobilize, educate, and lead makes them indispensable partners in advancing agricultural development and improving livelihoods,” she said.
She applauded Agrihouse Foundation for creating a platform that not only recognizes the contributions of these traditional leaders but also provides them with opportunities for capacity building, networking, and policy engagement.
Describing the initiative as both timely and transformative, Madam Tommor stressed that the Ministry remains committed to collaborating with organizations that promote inclusive development and gender-responsive interventions.
She added that supporting such initiatives contributes directly to national priorities, including food security, rural development, and economic empowerment.
The Principal Registrar also reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to strengthening partnerships between government institutions, traditional authorities, and civil society organizations to ensure that development efforts are inclusive, sustainable, and impactful.
“As a Ministry, we will continue to support and partner initiatives that uplift women, strengthen traditional leadership, and drive development from the grassroots level,” she affirmed.
She encouraged queen mothers across the country to actively participate in platforms like the Gathering of the Royals, noting that their voices, experiences, and leadership are essential in shaping policies and interventions that affect their communities.
The Gathering of the Royals, she added, stands as a shining example of how collaboration between civil society and traditional institutions can drive meaningful change, particularly in transforming Ghana’s agrifood systems.
