By Stanley Senya
Accra, March 31, GNA – The eighth edition of the Gathering of the Royals opened in Accra on Tuesday with more than 650 Queen Mothers from all 16 regions of the country expected to participate.
The event, is organised by the Agrihouse Foundation and seeks to provide a national platform to advance women’s leadership in the agrifood system.
Held on the theme: “Seeds of Change: From Leadership to Legacy, Women Transforming the Agrifood System.”
The gathering brings together Queen Mothers in agriculture, policymakers, agribusiness leaders, market actors, and development partners to highlight the role of women in strengthening Ghana’s food systems.
A news statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said, the event will focus on key gaps affecting food supply chains, infrastructure and the country’s limited progress in industrialising the agribusiness sector.
Discussions are expected to centre on how traditional women leaders can use their influence and knowledge to drive community-based action that supports food security and economic growth.
As part of the programme, the Agri-Royal Panel session will feature Queen Mothers engaged in farming and agribusiness activities from the Volta, Savannah, Central, Western North, Bono East, Ahafo, Eastern and North East regions.
The statement said the gathering is intended to ensure broader representation and allow Queen Mothers from across the country to share experiences, challenges and practical solutions from their communities.
“A new feature of this year’s edition is the Market Queens’ Traders Conversations, which will bring together market women from major trading centres including Nima, Makola, Lapaz Nii Boiman, Tema Station and Osu”, it said.
The discussions will focus on issues such as transportation of farm produce, environmental challenges, sanitation, pricing and post-harvest losses from the farm gate to the market.
Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Chair of the foundation, said one of the key highlights of this year’s programme was the fulfilment of the 2025 Call to Action and Commitment to Act.
She said selected Queen Mothers from across the 16 regions would receive day-old chicks and other essential items including vaccines, cages and feed, which would subsequently be distributed to young people in their communities to support agribusiness development.
Ms Akosa noted that the Gathering of the Royals had over the years recorded measurable impact, including helping agricultural input companies expand into new markets, influencing agricultural policies at both national and regional levels, and supporting community-driven agribusiness initiatives.
She also commended Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings for accepting the role of Chief Patron of the programme and continuing the legacy of her mother, the late former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
The statement said another highlight of the event will be the recognition of farmers with disabilities from the Western North, Central and Ashanti regions, in honour of their resilience and contribution to the country’s agrifood system.
“The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by dignitaries, including John Setor Dumelo and Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, among others,” the statement said.
Organisers say the Gathering of the Royals has grown into one of Ghana’s leading platforms for promoting the role of traditional women leaders in agriculture and advancing inclusive and sustainable food systems across the country.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba