The 7th edition of the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards (WOFAGRIC) has ended on a high note in the Central Region, after two days of impactful engagement, empowerment, mentorship, and celebration of women in Ghana’s agricultural space.
Organized by Agrihouse Foundation under the theme, “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development,” this year’s event convened more than 1,300 women farmers, processors, agripreneurs, extension officers, agri-input dealers, and women living with disabilities from across the region.
The forum, which has grown into a national movement over the last seven years, focused on addressing systemic barriers that hinder women’s participation and growth in agriculture,particularly access to land, financing, technology, market linkages, leadership opportunities, and training.
The two-day event combined practical training sessions, speed mentorship, exhibitions, and dialogue platforms with the highly anticipated Gold in the Soil Awards ceremony, which recognized outstanding women leaders driving innovation, resilience, and transformation in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
In her keynote remarks, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, highlighted the importance of inclusive participation, particularly the need to support and celebrate women farmers ,farmers with disabilities and young farmers .
“We must continue to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women who form the backbone of our agricultural communities,” she said. “Through WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards, we are not only building capacity but also creating space for visibility and recognition, especially for women with physical disabilities who continue to inspire us with their strength, resilience, and determination.”
She reiterated that empowering women in agriculture is not only a matter of equity but a strategic investment in national food security, climate resilience, and rural development.
Throughout the two days, participants engaged in technical demonstrations, knowledge-sharing sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one mentorships. The “10-to-1” breakout sessions provided hands-on training in key areas including climate-smart agriculture, export strategies, nutrition, financial literacy, agribusiness investment, and leadership development.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Deputy Minister, Hon. John Setor Dumelo, lauded Agrihouse Foundation for its commitment and leadership in consistently implementing the initiative across the regions.
“Your passion for amplifying the voices of women in agriculture is commendable. On behalf of the Ministry, I want to assure Agrihouse Foundation that our doors remain open. This is a partnership we value deeply, and we stand ready to walk with you in empowering Ghana’s agri-women,” he stated.
He emphasized that through the Ministry’s “Feed Ghana” programme, strategic efforts are underway to improve access to agricultural inputs, climate-smart technologies, extension services, and market opportunities, particularly for women-led agribusinesses.
“We also recognize the critical role of collaboration, between government, private sector, civil society, and development partners in building an inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector. The work of Agrihouse Foundation has proven that with the right tools and support, our agri-women can become unstoppable agents of transformation,” he added.
The event also featured a diverse range of seasoned speakers and trainers who shared valuable insights and practical knowledge with participants. Among them were Hon. Ekow Panyin Okyere, Central Regional Minister; Madam Theresa Randolph, Country Manager of Yara Ghana; Mathieu Lacasse, Second Secretary at the High Commission of Canada to Ghana; and Nana Adwoa Nkansa, Paramount Queenmother of Ago Nsaba and President of the Central Regional Queenmothers Association.
Other distinguished contributors included Dr. Marta Carminati, Agriculture and Food Expert in West Africa; Dr. Isaac Tweneboah-Koduah, chief executive office ,HiPAG and Mr. Nettesheim Kwame Damoah, Central Regional Director for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Participants also benefited from hands-on training and business advisory support provided by key partners including Yara Ghana, Global Affairs Canada, Interplast, Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans, and Vinolia Wealth Enterprise, among others.
Now in its seventh year, WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards have rotated across nine regions, including Volta, Ashanti, Western, Western North, Upper East, Upper West, Eastern, Bono, and now the Central Region. The initiative has impacted over 120,000 women across Ghana, and continues to grow in scale, depth, and influence.
Agrihouse Foundation remains committed to its mission of shaping an inclusive future for Ghana’s agricultural sector, one that recognizes, equips, and elevates the voices and efforts of women.