21 Women farmers honoured at 7th WOFAGRIC/Gold in the Soil Awards
Twenty-one hardworking women farmers and agripreneurs from the Central Region have been celebrated at this year’s Gold in the Soil Awards held in Cape Coast last Thursday.
The awards, the 7th in the series which featured 16 competitive categories, honoured women making remarkable strides in farming, fisheries, agribusiness and agro-processing across the region.
The awards, which were held jointly with the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC), were initiated by Agrihouse Foundation with support from Global Affairs Canada and Yara Ghana.
Ultimate winner
Hannah Aidoo from Mankessim received the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award and received a certificate, memento and a tricycle for her prize.
Other winners included Mary Azure, who received the Passion for the Farm award; Eunice Tsidua for the Climate-Smart Woman Project Award, and Magnet Attadzietsey from Elmina for the Lady of the Region Export Award.
The Super Woman Farmer Award recognised several women with disabilities including Akua Addei, Esther Botwey, Ekua Hawa, Gifty Nyantsen, Grace Abbrah, Abena Yeboah, Mercy Abban and Esi Tawiah.
Emilia Addy from Cape Coast took home the Star Woman Agripreneur Award.
Nanahemaa Efua Douduwa V, a queenmother received the Royal agro while the Princess Carla award for dedicated role model went to Nana Mbroba Dabo of Anomabo.
Outstanding exporters and dedicated contributors were also honoured.
In a special category, one man, Emmanuel Acquah from Komenda, was honoured with the Support Agri-Man Award for his exceptional efforts in supporting women in his community to thrive in agribusiness and farming.
They all received certificates, mementoes and bags of fertiliser.
Global Affairs Canada and Yara, Ghana received the Development Partner award for their continued support for women farmers.
Food security
The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, stressed the need to encourage young women, especially those aged between 24 to 32, to take up roles in agriculture.
She indicated that women remained critical to the agricultural landscape and food security and must be assisted to ensure food security for the country.
She stressed the need to work to remove barriers impacting women in the agricultural landscape negatively including access to land, finance and markets.
Impact of awards
Ms Akosa said the institution of the awards had been impactful and a great inspiration for women farmers in the communities.
She expressed concern about the insufficient female representation in tractor and machinery operations in the country and urged for greater support for women in this field.
Cooperatives
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, called for cooperatives to bring stronger units for agricultural enterprises.
He emphasised the need for unity among farmers, stating, “when we stand together as farmers, men and women alike, we can transform this country’s agricultural sector. We must unite to push Ghana forward”.
He praised Agrihouse for their dedication to supporting women in agriculture.
The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, commended Agrihouse Foundation and its partners for their efforts and proposed the establishment of a structured factory model in every community, as a practical, community-based initiative focused on agro-processing and value addition.
This, he said, would help strengthen local economies and place women at the centre of agricultural processing.
Panel discussion
The event also included a panel discussion led by past winners from various regions, including Portia Azunda from the Upper East region, Madam Abigail Gamah, Madam Adjei from the Eastern Region, Cecilia Akoka from Ashanti Region and Evelyn Andoh.
The Manager at Yara Ghana, Theresa Randolph, encouraged young women to learn from the experiences of the awardees and urged them to apply the knowledge gained to grow their agribusinesses.
