By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, June 06, GNA – Agrihouse Foundation, a leading local agricultural advocacy organisation, on Thursday, officially launched the 7th Edition of the Gold In Soil Awards through its flagship initiative, “Women in Food and Agric Leadership Training Forum” (WOFAGRIC).
The event marked the opening of nominations for the awards, to be held from Wednesday, July 9 to Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Elmina in the Komenda-Edina-Eguaafo-Abrem Municipality.
Individuals, farmer groups, institutions and the public are to nominate women and supportive men, who have made significant contributions to Ghana’s agricultural sector.
This year’s awards on the theme: “Overcoming barriers to develop meaningful and sustainable jobs for women farmers and farmers with disabilities,” aims to champion women’s leadership and innovation in agriculture while focusing on creating sustainable employment opportunities for women, and farmers with disabilities.
Since its inception, the annual programme has been held in six regions; Volta, Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West, Eastern and Bono providing intensive training, mentorship and capacity-building workshops to women farmers.
Over the past six years, WOFAGRIC has directly impacted more than 120,000 women indirectly and indirectly promoted economic independence, expanding agro-processing and enabling investments in land and family welfare, even during off-seasons.
With an average of 500 nominations received annually, the process leads to the shortlisting of inspiring women whose stories are featured in an Agrihouse Foundation documentary series.
This year, the awards will recognise women across 18 categories, such as Super Woman Farmer Award, Passion for Farm Award, She Innovates Award, Climate Smart Women Project Award, Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award, Royal Agro Award, and Diamond in the Rough Award.
Others are Feed to Foods Award, Change Champion Award, Development Partner Award, Lady of the Export Region Award, Supportive Agri-Man Award, Star Woman Agripreneur Award, Agri-Input Sales Woman of the Year, Princess Carla Award, Woman in Fisheries Award and the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award.
Winners will receive not only recognition but also practical support such as tricycles, irrigation pumps, fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, wellington boots, and seeds to enhance their farming activities.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, Madam Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, highlighted the remarkable growth of WOFAGRIC and the Gold in Soil Awards, describing the initiative as a transformative movement redefining the modern Agriwoman.
She noted two critical challenges of women in Agribusiness, including the absence of women in tractor and machinery operation roles and the ageing demographic of award winners, with the youngest being 35 years old.
She expressed a strong commitment to bridging these gaps and hoped the Central Region would soon present the first Woman in Tractor Operations.
She praised partners like Yara Ghana and Global Affairs Canada for their unwavering support in advancing women-centered agricultural initiatives.
In a statement delivered on behalf of Mr Ekow Payin Okyere Eduamoah, Central Regional Minister, emphasised the importance of women-led agribusinesses in closing gender gaps and improving community well-being.
The government is implementing policies such as the Gender and Agricultural Development Strategy, which promotes gender equality by increasing women’s access to land, credit, extension services, and decision-making roles.
Mr Eduamoah urged financial institutions to view women not as high-risk clients, but as high-potential entrepreneurs deserving tailored microfinance products and lending models that leverage collective guarantees from women’s cooperatives.
Dr Peter Omega, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture, encouraged collective support for empowering women in agribusiness, ensuring they have the necessary resources, rights, and opportunities to grow their enterprises for their families and communities.
GNA
AT/CA