by Linda Boateng | Jul 6, 2024 | News
Vera Enyonam Osei Kwakye, a 43-year-old farmer based in Sunyani, is revolutionizing agriculture with her 64-acre farm, cultivating vegetables, cocoa, and managing a 50,000-capacity fish pond. Inspired by her mother and driven by a passion for farming, Vera started this venture in 2012 with her late husband. Now, she employs 24 workers, collaborates with universities and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) for training, and supplies markets in Kumasi and Accra.
Despite challenges such as soil issues and storm damage, Vera remains resilient, determined to overcome hurdles and continue empowering her community. Her innovative approach and commitment to sustainable farming practices have set a benchmark in the agricultural sector.
In recognition of her achievements, Vera Enyonam Osei Kwakye has been nominated for the Change Champion Award at Agrihouse Foundation’s 6th Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards (WOFAGRIC). The event, scheduled for July 9th to 10th, 2024, at Sunyani Technical University, underscores the importance of empowering individuals like Vera, who play a crucial role in agricultural development. Themed “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders,” this event will gather over 600 participants for discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and mentorship sessions aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth.
For the past six years, the Gold in the Soil Awards have honored outstanding women farmers, farmers with disabilities, processors, and women across the entire agricultural value chain who have significantly contributed to Ghana’s agricultural sector. Supported by Global Affairs Canada and Yara Ghana, the event emphasizes the pivotal role of women farmers and individuals with disabilities in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices nationwide.
by Linda Boateng | Jul 6, 2024 | News
In Banda Nyire, Bono Region, Madam Mensah Comfort has transformed her family’s agricultural legacy into a source of success and community empowerment. Starting with 15 acres of cashew in 2015, she now manages an impressive 82 acres of cashew and a total of 180 acres of crops, including maize, yam, and groundnut, as well as poultry and livestock. Despite challenges such as lack of labor, fertilizer, and transportation, she seeks guidance from agricultural officers to continually improve her farm.
She is not only dedicated to her own success but also to empowering other women in her community. She has organized a group of 30 women, teaching them essential farming skills and helping them start their own agricultural ventures. Through her efforts, she supports her family and uplifts her community, showcasing the positive impact of hard work and dedication in agriculture.
In recognition of her achievements, she has been nominated for the Diamond In The Rough Award at the upcoming Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards (WOFAGRIC). The event, scheduled for July 9th to 10th, 2024, at Sunyani Technical University, underscores the importance of empowering individuals like Madam Mensah Comfort, who play a crucial role in agricultural development. Themed “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders,” this event will gather over 600 participants for discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and mentorship sessions aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth.
For the past six years, the Gold in the Soil Awards have honored outstanding women farmers, farmers with disabilities, processors, and women across the entire agricultural value chain who have significantly contributed to Ghana’s agricultural sector. Supported by Global Affairs Canada and Yara Ghana, the event emphasizes the pivotal role of women farmers and individuals with disabilities in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices nationwide.
Madam Mensah Comfort’s story is a powerful example of resilience and dedication in the face of adversity. Her journey from starting with 15 acres of cashew to managing a diverse and expansive farm, while also empowering other women, highlights the significant contributions women can make to agriculture. Her nomination for the Diamond In The Rough Award is a testament to her impact on her community and the agricultural sector in Ghana.
by Linda Boateng | Jul 5, 2024 | News
Madam Vida Korang, a dedicated 52-year-old mango farmer from Domesua, has cultivated an impressive 15 acres of mango trees. Her produce is supplied to renowned companies such as Blue Skies, HPW, and Bomat Limited, where the mangoes are processed into juice. Vida’s passion for farming was ignited by her early experiences working alongside her father, and she has since built a successful agricultural enterprise.
However, Vida’s journey is not without its challenges. One of the significant hurdles she faces is the threat of Bacterial Black Spot (BBS), a disease that can devastate her mango trees. The chemicals required to treat BBS are expensive, making it difficult for her to purchase them regularly. Additionally, theft poses a substantial problem, with thieves sometimes stealing ripe mangoes and causing significant losses.
Despite these obstacles, Vida remains steadfast in her commitment to her mango farm, continuously striving to overcome these challenges. Her resilience and dedication are a testament to her passion for farming and her determination to succeed.
In recognition of her achievements, Vida Korang has been nominated for the prestigious Gold in the Soil Award at the upcoming Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards (WOFAGRIC). The event, scheduled for July 9th to 10th, 2024, at Sunyani Technical University, underscores the importance of empowering individuals like Vida, who play a crucial role in agricultural development. Themed “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders,” this event will gather over 600 participants for discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and mentorship sessions aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth.
The Gold in the Soil Awards have for the past six years honored outstanding women farmers ,farmers with disabilities, processors and women across the entire agricultural value chain who have significantly contributed to Ghana’s agricultural sector. Supported by Global Affairs Canada and Yara Ghana, the event emphasizes the pivotal role of women farmers and individuals with disabilities in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices nationwide.
her story is a powerful example of resilience and dedication in the face of adversity. Her journey from working with her father to managing a successful mango farm despite numerous challenges inspires many in her community and beyond. Her nomination for the Gold in the Soil Award highlights her significant contributions to Ghana’s agricultural sector and her unwavering commitment to overcoming obstacles in pursuit of her passion.
Reflecting on her journey, she advises the youth to consider a career in agriculture, emphasizing its potential for success and fulfillment. “Agriculture is a very lucrative venture,” she says. “It provides not only a means of livelihood but also a way to contribute to the community and the economy. I encourage young people to venture into farming and explore the vast opportunities it offers.”
by Linda Boateng | Jul 5, 2024 | News
Nana Yaa Esuama Yeboah I, the esteemed queen mother of Jaman South in the Bono Region, has redefined her life and community through farming. At 53 years old, she manages a remarkable agricultural enterprise in Chiraa, Bono Region, encompassing 25 acres of maize, 6 acres of cassava, 1 acre of plantain, and 5 acres of coconut. Additionally, she oversees a thriving poultry farm with 1,500 birds and a piggery housing 80 pigs.
Nana Yaa’s journey into agriculture began after a challenging period as a trader in Accra. Seeking a new path, she returned to Chiraa and embraced farming, which has since provided her with a sustainable livelihood and significantly improved her quality of life. Her dedication and hard work have enabled her to construct a seven-bedroom house for herself and her children, as well as a four-bedroom house for her farm workers. This transformation underscores the potential of agriculture to create substantial wealth and uplift families.
Through her farming success, she has also supported her child’s education, who is currently pursuing university studies. Looking ahead, she envisions further growth and expansion of her farming operations. Currently employing four people, she aims to increase her workforce to meet the farm’s expanding needs. With a clear vision and unwavering determination, Nana Yaa continues to be a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating the transformative power of agriculture and its capacity to foster economic growth and community development in the Bono Region.
In recognition of her achievements, Nana Yaa Esuama Yeboah I has been nominated for the Royal Agro Award at the upcoming Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards (WOFAGRIC). The event, scheduled for July 9th to 10th, 2024, at Sunyani Technical University, underscores the importance of empowering individuals like Nana Yaa, who play a crucial role in agricultural development. Themed “Overcoming the Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders,” this event will gather over 600 participants for discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and mentorship sessions aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth.The Gold in the Soil Awards will honor outstanding women farmers and individuals with disabilities who have significantly contributed to Ghana’s agricultural sector. Supported by Global Affairs Canada and Yara Ghana, the event emphasizes the pivotal role of women farmers and individuals with disabilities in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices nationwide.
by Linda Boateng | Jul 5, 2024 | Press Release
Global Affairs Canada have partnered with Agrihouse Foundation for the sixth (6) year in a role for the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards, scheduled for July 9th to 10th, 2024 in Sunyani in the Bono Region with the aim of continuously advancing and empowering women farmers, farmers with disabilities and women across the entire agricultural value chain in Ghana.
In her statement, Madam Candace Holt, the Second Secretary of Development for Global Affairs Canada, emphasized that their continues support for Agrihouse Foundation’s Women In Food And Agricultural Leadership Training Forum And Gold In The Soil Awards aligns with their Feminist International Assistance Policy, which recognizes that when women achieve their full economic potential, whether as farmers ,agricultural producers, employees, entrepreneurs, or business leaders, the economy thrives, benefiting more people.
“We believe that women are critical to the sustainability and growth of Ghana’s agriculture sector and the WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards provide a crucial platform to recognize and celebrate women farmers and those with disabilities who have overcome challenges and made significant contributions to Ghana’s development and that is what Global Affairs Canada is about ‘’. she remarked
Highlighting the impact of this partnership on Ghana’s agricultural sector, Ms. Holt noted that there have been a significant increase in empowerment and self-reliance among women for the past 6years ,enabling them to achieve higher levels of financial autonomy, invest in land, expand agro-processing activities, and sustain their families, even during off-seasons which has also contributed to advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 which seeks to promote gender equality by addressing barriers to women’s economic empowerment.
it is however important to continue to draw attention to the significant work that women farmers do at all point along the agricultural value chains, and the WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards has offered a consistent and far-reaching platform to get that message across’’ she concluded
Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, expressed profound gratitude for Global Affairs Canada’s steadfast partnership over the past six years. “Global Affairs Canada has been instrumental in advancing the status of women in agriculture in Ghana, through the Women in Food and Agriculture Leadership Training Forum and The Gold in The Soil Awards.” Ms. Akosa emphasized.
“Their continued support enables us to create opportunities for women to thrive in agriculture, contributing to Ghana’s economic growth and advancing gender equality.”The annual regional intervention have for the past six years been held in the Volta, Ashanti, Western, Western North, Upper East, Upper West, and Eastern Regions benefiting over 8,000 women farmers, processors, and farmers with disabilities, processors ,agriprenuers and women across the entire agricultural value chain by providing them with the resources, training, mentorship ,networking ,and recognition they need to thrive in the agricultural sector and also fostering leadership, innovation, and inclusivity,
The two-day event, to be hosted at the Sunyani Technical University in the Bono Region, on Tuesday July 9th to Wednesday July 10th 2024 under the them OVERCOMING The Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders. “will feature over six hundred (600) women farmers, processors, agriprenuers, famers with disability and women across the entire agricultural value chain engaging in activities such as break-out panel discussions, training workshops, exhibitions, trade shows, speed networking, and mentorship sessions. These components will empower participants to gain valuable insights, exchange best practices, and forge collaborations that have the potential to reshape the future of agriculture in Ghana.
One of the highlights will be the prestigious Gold in the Soil Awards, recognizing exceptional women farmers and women with disabilities, processors, agriprenuers and women in the entire agricultural value chain who have made remarkable contributions to the agricultural industry.
The Gold in the Soil Awards, held on the second day, span seventeen categories, each designed to honor and showcase the achievements of women in various facets of agriculture. These categories include the Super Woman Farmer Award, Passion for Farm Award, Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award, Royal Agro Award, Diamond in the Rough Award, Feed to Food Awards, Change Champion Award, others includes ,She Innovates Award, Climate-Smart Women Project Award, Lady of The Region Export Award, Star Woman Agripreneur Award, She-Operates Award, Development Partner Award, Princess Carla Award, and the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award and the newly introduced Agri-Input Sales Woman of the Year category and the Supportive Agri-Man Award
As Agrihouse Foundation and Global Affairs Canada continues its journey towards agricultural transformation, the role of women farmers and women with disabilities cannot be overstated. Their resilience, expertise, and determination are integral to ensuring food security, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering economic growth.
