In a bid to champion the role of women in agriculture and foster sustainable food security, Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has unveiLled plans to provide extensive year-long support to female farmers honoured at the recent National Farmers’ Day awards.
This initiative, building on the success of previous efforts, aims to assist Charity Akortia who was named 2023 National Best Farmer, and Edith Akosah Wheatland – recognised as the National Best Female Farmer, alongside 18 other outstanding women farmers at the national, regional and district levels.
The comprehensive support package, tailored in alignment with the theme of ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience’, includes leadership, advocacy and agribusiness development training. This training is geared toward enhancing the capacity of awardees.
Following the impactful assistance provided to the first cohort in 2022, Policy LINK in collaboration with its partners will design a programme that includes study tours and specialised training to fit the needs of awardees. Notably, the first cohort’s commitment and lessons learned led to establishment of the Ghana Association of Female Agricultural and Fish Farming Award Winners (GAFAFAW), and the use of influence to increase women’s engagement in agricultural policy arenas.
This initiative does not merely stop at offering immediate support, but extends a commitment to three years of continuous aid for selected women awardees at the National Farmers’ Day event. The primary goal remains to foster inclusivity, empowering these women leaders in agriculture to advocate for improved conditions in the sector – especially for vulnerable groups such as youth and persons with disabilities.
The five-year Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK Activity is an example of how the US government is dedicated to eradicating world hunger through the promotion of resilience, inclusive agriculture-led economic growth and nutrition. The project seeks to promote evidence-based policies and cooperative partnerships in order to encourage sustainable agricultural development and a well-nourished populace, with a special emphasis on women and children.
The ongoing efforts of Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK underscore the critical role of women in agriculture, not just as farmers but also as leaders and advocates driving positive change in Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
