By Priscilla Oye Ofori
Accra, March 16, GNA – Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings, former First Lady, says barriers to women’s participation in agriculture must be replaced with opportunities that will enhance their growth, leadership, and prosperity.
“When women are given the right tools and opportunity, they become innovative, they become entrepreneurs, and they become leaders,” she said.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings said this at the seventh edition of “Gathering of the Royals” and the Nana Konadu Legacy Honours and Awards.”
The Awards seek to recognise women making an impact in the society in all aspects of life.
It was organised by the Agrihouse Foundation, an agriculture advocacy Non-Governmental Organisation, and Queen Mothers Foundation.
This year’s event was on the theme: “Seeds of Change: Honouring Leadership, Inspiring Hope, and Strengthening Women to Innovatively Enhance Our Agrifood Future.”
More than 100 queenmothers across the 16 regions of Ghana participated in programme, which provides a platform for fostering dialogue, sharing experiences, and advancing gender equality in the agricultural sector.
The former First Lady said women must be provided seeds, fertilisers, access to markets, financial literacy, and modern farming techniques to thrive in their businesses.
She noted that women drove the economic growth, increasing productivity and ensuring food security, hence the need for continued investment in their training, mentorship and technology for advancement.
She explained that sustainable agriculture was not just about growing crops but also about growing livelihoods, and empowering women farmers to become decision-makers and investors.
She advocated collective responsibility from governments, private sector partners, financial institutions, and community leaders to build an inclusive agricultural sector where women thrived, families prospered and communities flourished.
Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, Member of Parliament, Korle Klottey Constituency, and Patron of the “Gathering of the Royals,” advised the Queenmothers to build a network to assist each other in their business.
“I stand here humbly as your representative, ready to speak for you on the floor of Parliament, ready to push for whatever we need. I only need for you to share with me what it is that you want us to do, and we will raise the issue on the floor of Parliament,” she added.
Dr Agyemang-Rawlings said the fight for women was a collective responsibility and an all sector approach.
The agricultural sector would thrive when women were more empowered, she added.
Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director, Agrihouse Foundation, said communities must be empowered to be more innovative and self-sufficient.
The country could utilise the aid freeze by the USAID to be more innovative and ensure food security, she noted.
GNA
ABD