By Albert Futukpor, GNA
Savelugu (N/R), June 15, GNA – A total of 500 rural women involved in the agricultural value chain at Savelugu and surrounding communities have undergone training in modern agricultural practices to improve their productivity and livelihoods.
The training also involved digital literacy, and premium branding strategies aimed at transforming their hard work into sustainable, high-yielding economic opportunities.
They also received farm inputs as part of the training.
The training formed part of a two-day conference dubbed: “SHE GROWS”, which was organized by the Yooyili Pag-dede Foundation under the auspices of Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz, Member of Parliament for Savelugu Constituency in the Northern Region.
The conference was on the theme: “Her Hands, Our Harvest, the Future is Fertile”.
Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz, speaking during the conference at Savelugu, said it sought to change the negative narrative surrounding the role of rural women in agriculture and to highlight their contributions to food security and economic development.
The conference highlighted the critical role rural women played in agriculture while also addressing the mental health and psychosocial challenges affecting individuals’ wellbeing and productivity.
Other participants included researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, representatives of Farmerline, innovators, and champions of the Savannah ecosystem.
Recognizing the emotional and psychological challenges faced by rural women, the second day of the conference was dedicated to mental health and psychosocial support, especially within the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights issues.
This segment featured contributions from BasicNeeds-Ghana, SWIDA-Ghana and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Mr Tizaa Hannan Legend, a Programme Officer at BasicNeeds-Ghana, who represented Dr Peter Badimak Yaro, Executive Director of BasicNeeds-Ghana on the mental health segment of the conference, emphasized the central role of mental health in overall wellbeing of individuals.
Mr Hanna Legend, who is Founder of the Lived Experience Action Hub, and Member of Lived Experience Advisory Group of the HOPE Research Project, emphasized that “Mental health is to human health what fuel is to an economy.”
He explained that mental health disorders could undermine an individual’s social, economic and physical wellbeing as well as their productivity and personal agency.
He underscored the importance of supportive families, especially mothers in fostering mental health resilience and recovery and called on fathers to be indispensable allies.
Dr Selassie Addom, a Psychiatrist at Tamale Teaching Hospital and a maternal-mental health advocate, spoke about common mental health challenges faced by women and practical ways to build resilience.
She encouraged participants to remain socially connected, maintain spiritual support systems and speak openly about their feelings as part of promoting good mental health.
Mr Jude Baba Domosie, National Programme Analyst at UNFPA, based in Tamale, commended the Yooyili Pag-dede Foundation for organizing the conference.
He pledged UNFPA’s continued support for initiatives that uplifted women and communities and said the presentations and discussions at the conference provided “A sense of accomplishment and hope for a better world.”
Other notable speakers during the conference included Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, and Madam Esther Cobbah, a renowned communications professional.
Meanwhile, the cinference recognised Dr Addom and Mr Hannan Legend for their outstanding contributions to mental health advocacy and community development.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh /Kenneth Odeng Adade