The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene, have called on the government, private sectors, stakeholders, and relevant parties to implement decisive mechanisms that supports women in agribusiness.
Delivering the keynote address at the 6th Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards. Held from July 9th to 10th, 2024, at the Sunyani Technical University, in the Bono Region, under the theme “Overcoming the Barriers to Women in Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders. “She emphasized the critical need for collective efforts to create a supportive environment for women in the agricultural sector.
“Empowering women in agribusiness is not just about equality; it’s about driving economic development,” stated Hon. Owusu-Banahene. “Women are the backbone of every economy, driving growth and sustainability. By empowering them, we ensure a more resilient and inclusive agricultural sector.”
Highlighting the role of cultural leaders and queen mothers, she urged them to use their influence in inspiring young women to pursue careers in agribusiness by actively mentoring and instilling the passion for agriculture among the youth, emphasizing the importance of securing land for women’s ventures.
In conclusion, she called on financial institutions to support women in agribusiness by providing accessible and affordable credit facilities. These resources, she emphasized, are crucial for enabling women to scale their operations, invest in modern technologies, and ultimately improve productivity in the sector.