By Stanley Senya
Accra, June 16, GNA – Global Affairs Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in agriculture through its sustained support for the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum and Expo (WOFAGRIC) and the Gold in the Soil Awards.
The initiative has impacted more than 12,000 women farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, processors, marketers, and farmers with disabilities across Ghana over the past eight years.
The partnership with Agrihouse Foundation, organisers of WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards, provided training, mentorship, leadership development, networking opportunities, and recognition to women engaged across the agricultural value chain.
The initiative, which began as a platform to celebrate women in agriculture, has grown into a national movement promoting gender inclusion, agricultural entrepreneurship, and rural economic development.
Agriculture remains a critical source of livelihood for many rural women, who contribute significantly to food production and household incomes.
However, many of these women have historically received limited recognition despite their role in supporting Ghana’s food systems and rural economies.
Recognising this challenge, Global Affairs Canada partnered Agrihouse Foundation to support WOFAGRIC and the Gold in the Soil Awards as a means of promoting excellence while creating opportunities for growth and empowerment.
Over the years, the programme has highlighted the achievements of women farmers, agro-processors, agribusiness owners, and community leaders whose contributions often go unnoticed.
The initiative has also prioritised inclusivity by creating opportunities for women farmers with disabilities to showcase their capabilities, gain recognition, and participate actively in agricultural development.
Beneficiaries have reported significant improvements in productivity, incomes, and business growth through access to training programmes, mentorship opportunities, leadership development sessions, and exposure to innovative agricultural technologies.
The Gold in the Soil Awards has emerged as one of Ghana’s leading platforms for recognising excellence in agriculture, honouring women and farmers with disabilities across various agricultural value chains.
The awards have helped raise the profile of female agricultural leaders while encouraging more young people, particularly women, to consider careers in agriculture.
Global Affairs Canada’s support has also contributed to advancing gender equality within the agricultural sector by promoting inclusive participation and ensuring that the voices of rural women are represented in national agricultural conversations.
Beyond the direct beneficiaries, the programme has created positive spillover effects in communities as trained women farmers share knowledge, mentor peers, support farmer groups, and serve as role models for younger generations.
Organisers estimate that the initiative has directly and indirectly impacted about 20,000 people nationwide.
The impact is reflected in the growing number of women who have expanded from smallholder farming into agro-processing, established successful agribusinesses, acquired transportation equipment to improve market access, and built enterprises that create employment opportunities within their communities.
Many beneficiaries have also invested in agro-processing equipment to reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality, extend shelf life, and access new local and international markets.
This year’s WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards, scheduled to take place in the Savannah Region, is expected to deepen the initiative’s impact.
Approximately 1,000 women farmers from across the country, including beneficiaries of Global Affairs Canada’s support under the Feed Ghana Initiative and Farmer Service Centres, are expected to participate.
The event will provide a platform for learning, mentorship, networking, market linkages, and knowledge sharing while amplifying the voices of rural women farmers and farmers with disabilities.
As preparations continue, stakeholders say the Savannah Region edition will celebrate excellence, inspire the next generation of women agricultural leaders, and reinforce the importance of investing in women as a catalyst for agricultural transformation.
The organisers noted that the continued partnership between Global Affairs Canada, Agrihouse Foundation, and other stakeholders demonstrates how sustained support for women can strengthen livelihoods, improve food security, and contribute significantly to Ghana’s agricultural development agenda.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba