By Mohammed Balu
Challu (UWR), Oct. 19, GNA – Women farmers have advocated for improved seeds, mechanised farming tools, and planters to ease the burdens they face in providing food for their families and communities.
This was highlighted during a drama performance by young girls from Kong at Challu in the Sissala East Municipality of the Upper West Region, where over 500 women farmers gathered to mark the 2024 International Day of Rural Women.
The event was organised by the consortium implementing the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Programme. HAPPY Program is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited and aims to create 326,000 job opportunities for young Ghanaians aged 15-35 in the agricultural sector.
The event was held under the theme: “The Role of Rural Women in Ensuring Food Security”.
Madam Beatrice Nortey of NewAge Agric Solutions said the contribution of rural women to food production in the country was significant, and it was important to celebrate and appreciate women’s efforts in agriculture.
Madam Nortey called on all to be committed to promoting gender inclusiveness for women in farming activities.
Madam Ama Gyan, Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion Manager at Agri-Impact Limited, noted that 15th October is set aside annually to celebrate and recognise the contributions of rural women to food security globally.
She stated that Agri-Impact Limited and the Mastercard Foundation, through the HAPPY Programme, have empowered young women with jobs in the rice, soya, tomato, and poultry value chains.
Madam Gyan emphasised that the HAPPY programme focuses on 70% female participation, including persons with disabilities.
Mr Mahama Salifu, the Sissala East Municipal Director of Agriculture, identified agriculture as the primary source of employment for many marginalised women in rural Ghana.
He highlighted barriers facing women, such as limited access to fertile land and credit, which significantly impact their prospects.
Mr Salifu noted that improving women’s access to technology for ploughing and harvesting could encourage young female operators to assist men in mechanisation.
He also called for increased support for women in food processing and aggregation.
Mr Mohammed Abdul Moomin, the Upper West Regional Director of the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), said his organisation would continue to promote entrepreneurial skills among the youth in small and medium enterprises to generate income.
The Chief of Challu, Kuoro Robert Siamui Hillia, thanked the organisers for using the programme to support rural women.
The HAPPY Programme is being implemented through a consortium of eight partners led by Agri-Impact Limited. The partners are the National Service Scheme (NSS), Ghana CARES (MiDA), NewAge Agric Solutions, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), CRS, Jobberman, and TechnoServe.
GNA