YARA Ghana Calls for Deliberate Policy Actions to Support Ghanaian Women in Agriculture

The West Africa Regional Director of YARA, Mr. Danquah Addo-Yobo, has observed that, for women to survive, thrive and make waves beyond the pandemic in the agricultural sector, deliberate policy actions need to be in place to mitigate the challenges they face as agri-women.

He said, even in the mist of the COVID-19 Pandemic, women farmers in the country played major roles in ensuring that the country’s agricultural sector saw a healthy growth of 2.5 percent, according the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

However, they continue to face challenges such as, “gender-based disparities in terms of access to resources and services, influencing decision-making, unfair land tenure systems and unbalanced economic opportunities,” he stressed.

He said agencies like Women in Agriculture and Ministry of Food and Agriculture must work to ensure equal access to capital, capacity building and other essential linkages in the sector.

Mr. Danquah Addo-Yobo made these comment in a speech read on his behalf at the just ended 3^rd Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forcum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards, organized by Agrihouse Foundation and held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East region, this year.

He said YARA recognizes the crucial roles women play in various areas of the agricultural value chain, even as they continue to take responsibility for their family’s welfare, health, education, food and nutrition.

He said WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards, is therefore an integral event that offers women farmers needed knowledge and understanding that can help them shine more in these roles.

“Yara Ghana places premium on sharing knowledge in the agricultural value chain. We urge all participants to put the knowledge that will be gained into practice and also share with others beyond the participants,” he encouraged.

He said Yara Ghana will continue to be a part of WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards because the events seek to improve the capacities and highlight the efforts of our gallant women farmers.

About 3^rd WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards

This year Madam Portia Asumda, from Zangeyire in the Upper East Region took home the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award. She has been farming five years and is into the cultivation of rice, and maize, and rears cow, small ruminant and guinea fowls.

She has been working for the past 10 years and has helped train about 200 women in agri-processing capacities. She mentors women and employs a number of them who depend on the income they make to support their families. In view of her hard work, NBSSI collaborates with her as a service provider, ensuring that her products meet international standards, that enables her to export her products.

The rest of the award winners in their various categories are as follows:

Passion for Farm— Portia Gban

She innovates— Gafaratu Fuseini

Climate Smart Women Project— Memuna Abdul Rahaman

Outstanding woman in extension services— Leuzumah Rashida

The super Woman Farmer— Alima Wahabu

Royal Agro— Ayiesheitu Mahamadu Asaki

Diamond in the rough— Saantuma Sala

Feed to Foods— Genevive Akugu

Change Champion Award— Asieme Elsie Azelikumah

Development Partner— Canada

Lady of the Export Region— Anita Sutha

Star Woman Agripreneur— Mavis Alahire Aboko

She operates— Joy okrah

Princess Carla— Hawawu Gbahara

Gold in the Soil— Portia Asumda

This year the Awards Scheme received 131 nominations from both Upper East and Upper West Region. Out of the number, 45 women were shortlisted and 14 awarded. A special Gold in the Soil award went to Canada as a development partner.

This year WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil Award was in partnership with Canadian High Commission, ABSA Ghana and YARA, INTERPLAST, OCP AFRICA, PEG AFRICA, LUMINANT ELECTRICALS AND RDF GHANA.

Collaborating Institution included, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) and the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG).

The GOLD In the Soil AWARDS, is an annual awards scheme, solely dedicated to contribute in strengthening and projecting a paradigm shift of celebrating women farmers, processors, marketers and women who are playing a role within the agricultural value chain, including women into Transportation, packaging, Technology, input dealers, etc. The Awards moves from Region to Region yearly to search for these extraordinary women who contribute significantly to putting food on our tables daily. Their story is shared and broadcasted through a documentary series produced by Agrihouse Foundation.

Impacts of WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil Awards

Since inception three years (3) ago, WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil awards has impacted the lives and businesses of women in the agri-business space. So far 25% of women participants who were not into Agribusiness as at the time they attended the event, have now ventured into agribusiness. Similarly, about 900 women who were groomed to take up leadership roles have had their capacity built up to push for growth and expansion at the grassroots.

In 2019, almost a quarter of the nominees for the Gold in the Soil Awards made entries into the National Best Farmers Award Scheme at district, regional and national levels with about 7 of them winning laurels at the district and regional levels whilst 2 of them picked up awards at the National awards.

The training offered on proper management and book keeping have proven impactful. A follow up evaluation carried out 3 months after each event reveals that, past participants have been able to access loan facilities to support their farms and businesses. Furthermore, information and guidance provided by the Netherlands embassy and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) equipped some of the women farmers on the standard procedures, best practices and how to go documentations to export their produce. This has helped about 13 women to start the process to go into exportation.