The World Food Forum (WFF) Ghana Chapter recently held an impactful community symposium with traders at the Abogbloshie Market in Accra.
The event, held three weeks ago under the theme “Market Women, Traders, and Their Role in Driving the Food Value Chain,” focused on strengthening agrifood systems through inclusive dialogue, empowering youth and women in agriculture, and addressing critical barriers in local food markets.
The initiative forms part of the WFF Ghana Chapter’s broader strategy to localize global conversations on food security and sustainability, ensuring community stakeholders particularly women and youth are not just beneficiaries but active participants in shaping Ghana’s agrifood transformation.
Speaking at the event, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa the National Director for the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter emphasized the strategic importance of engaging grassroots actors in conversations around national food systems transformation.
“At the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter, we recognize that meaningful food systems transformation must be rooted in community inclusion. Market women, youth, and informal traders are the lifeblood of Ghana’s food distribution network. They handle, transport, and sell a large proportion of our fresh produce, making them indispensable to food access and affordability. By engaging them directly, we’re bridging the divide between high-level policy discussions and the on-the-ground realities of food production, marketing, and consumption.”
She added that this engagement allows the team to gather vital insights about challenges and opportunities within the agrifood sector. “With this information, we can craft interventions and policies that are responsive, practical, and locally relevant.
Our goal is to build a food system that is resilient, equitable, and driven by the people who feed the nation. This is why we will continue to work with grassroots actors and provide platforms for them to be seen and heard at every level of decision-making.”
Anthony Aidoo, Steering Committee Chairperson of the WFF Ghana Chapter, reiterated the indispensable role of youth and women in reimagining Ghana’s agriculture for the future. “Market traders, particularly women and young people, are at the frontline of Ghana’s food economy. Their daily work ensures food availability in urban areas. However, they often remain excluded from developmental planning and resource access. Through platforms like this symposium, we aim to elevate their voices, understand their needs, and co-create solutions that address persistent bottlenecks in the value chain.”
He continued by saying, “Our long-term vision is to support a new generation of agripreneurs—youth who are equipped with digital tools, sustainable practices, and entrepreneurial skills to modernize agriculture.
We are also promoting access to logistics, cold chain solutions, and support for market-based actors. With the right help, youth and women can lead Ghana’s transition from subsistence agriculture to a commercially vibrant, technology-driven sector
Adding his voice, Kwame Sekyere, Project Director of the WFF Ghana Chapter, focused on the importance of practical education and business development for youth and traders. He explained, “Many young people have a passion for agriculture but lack the knowledge and experience to navigate market systems effectively. Our interventions aim to provide experiential learning—whether it’s understanding pricing trends, market logistics, buyer behaviour, or the use of mobile applications in trade. It’s not enough to grow food; one must also know how to sell it competitively.”
He elaborated further, “We are introducing programs that offer hands-on business training, digital marketing workshops, and mentorship from successful agribusiness owners. This equips youth to not only survive but thrive in this space. Additionally, we are piloting market linkages that connect farmers, processors, and retailers to build stronger, more integrated agribusiness ecosystems. Our emphasis is on sustainability creating youth leaders who are climate-smart, financially literate, and socially responsible.”
The Director for Women, Gender and Social Protection at the WFF Ghana Chapter, Phillipa Mensah, highlighted the intersection between food security, women’s empowerment, and social protection. She said, “Market women are the silent pillars holding up urban food systems. Their resilience, despite limited infrastructure and support, is remarkable. At WFF Ghana Chapter, we believe empowering them goes beyond financial aid. It involves recognizing their expertise, ensuring access to social services, and protecting their livelihoods from socio-economic shocks.”
She emphasized, “Our goal is to enhance their capacity through training in health, safety, nutrition awareness, and business resilience. We’re also advocating for social safety nets that guarantee healthcare access, child education support, and income protection for traders. These women have the potential to be powerful advocates for nutrition and food justice in their communities. When we empower market women, we strengthen household nutrition, local economies, and national food security. This is not charity; it is an investment in the very backbone of our food economy.”
The Queenmother of the Abogbloshie Market, Aunty K, expressed her deep appreciation for the engagement organized by the World Food Forum Ghana Chapter. She described the initiative as both empowering and long overdue.
“For years, market women like us have been the invisible pillars of Ghana’s food system working from dawn to dusk to ensure that food travels from farms to the tables of households across the country,” she stated. “Yet, despite our critical role, our voices have rarely been included in national discussions about agriculture, food security, and economic development.”
The symposium also provided a safe and empowering space for market traders to share our daily challenges, propose practical solutions, and connect with stakeholders who can drive policy change.
Ibrahim Seidu, a tomato seller, shared his concerns. “Our business depends on the freshness of our tomatoes, yet we’re constantly losing income because of poor road conditions. Trucks carrying produce get stuck or arrive late, and the tomatoes spoil before we can even sell them. This affects not just our income but consumer prices too.”
He added, “We urgently need better road infrastructure and transport systems that cater specifically to agricultural produce.
We also need support to learn post-harvest handling skills how to pick, pack, and store our tomatoes better. If we’re trained and given the right tools, we can cut losses, improve shelf life, and earn more. Creating cooperative groups will help us share resources like transport and storage. Collective action gives us bargaining power and a voice to access financial support.”
Regina Sowah, an sells okro, spoke about storage and preservation challenges. “One of our biggest hurdles is the lack of storage and preservation systems. Okro spoils quickly. Without cold rooms or drying options, we are forced to sell immediately even at loss-making pricesto avoid spoilage. This kills our profit and increases food waste.”
She recommended, “We need government and NGO support to set up shared cold storage units and teach us preservation methods like solar drying. This would extend our sales window and reduce waste. Also, if we’re trained in nutrition education, we can educate customers about the health benefits of okro and other vegetables. We’re ready to be community nutrition champions. Support for better packaging is another critical area. We need affordable, reusable crates or bags that prevent damage and improve presentation.”
Henry Yeatey, another tomato trader, spoke passionately about financing limitations. “Access to capital is our biggest limitation. We need money to buy produce, improve packaging, and even explore delivery options. But most banks see us as too risky because we don’t have collateral or formal business records. So, we turn to informal lenders who charge us high interest, leaving us in debt.”
He proposed, “We need government-backed microfinance tailored for women and youth in the informal market. Loans should come with training in record keeping, budgeting, and digital marketing. If we understand how to manage money and track our business, we can grow and access formal funding. Mentorship from successful traders would also guide us through the ups and downs of this business.
The World Food Forum Ghana Chapter continues to prioritize participatory,inclusive approaches to agricultural development. By amplifying their voices, facilitating access to resources, and building strong institutional linkages, WFF Ghana hopes to pave the way for resilient, youth-driven, and community-owned food systems in Ghana.
