Stakeholders at the launch of Women in Agribusiness Week 2025, have urged bold action to address gender disparities in agriculture, stressing that women’s empowerment is critical to food security, rural development, and inclusive economic growth.
The Women in Agribusiness Week (WAW) Ghana 2025, organised by Guzakuza—a leading organisation committed to empowering women in agribusiness across Africa—was launched in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and advocates.
Addressing this year’s Women in Agribusiness Week theme: “Innovating for a Resilient Agribusiness: Finance, Technology and Market Access for Growth”, stakeholders took turns to highlight the need for innovation, equity, and investment to unlock the full potential of Ghanaian women in agribusiness.
Hajia Habiba Yusifu, Eastern Regional Director of Agriculture, described women as “the lifeline of rural and national economies,” but noted that they continue to face systemic barriers.
“For decades, African women have been trapped in poverty cycles due to unequal access to education, resources, and technology,” she said.
Adding, “Empowering women in agriculture is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.”
She cited research indicating that closing the gender gap could significantly boost agricultural productivity, reduce hunger, and stimulate economic growth.
“We must provide women with equal access to land, finance, and modern technologies to enable them to become catalysts for innovation, productivity, and sustainable development,” she added.
Hajia Yusifu also called for increased representation of women in farmer cooperatives and decision-making platforms.
“Women’s voices must be heard and their perspectives considered when designing programmes that affect their livelihoods,” she said.
In a speech read on her behalf, Eastern Regional Minister Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey echoed the appeal, noting that women constitute 70 per cent of Ghana’s agricultural workforce but face challenges in scaling their businesses.
“Access to affordable credit and investment is vital for women to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness,” she said.
She highlighted government interventions under the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, including the Feed Ghana Programme and the Grains and Legumes Development Programme, which aim to enhance resilience and productivity.
“Our efforts in agriculture are not only about producing more food, but also about building resilience and ensuring that farmers, particularly women, can withstand climate change and market fluctuations,” she said.
Ms. Vida Akuamoah Boateng, Project Officer at Guzakuza, said the conference provided a platform for product marketing, networking, and knowledge exchange.
“Industry experts add knowledge that enhances creativity, and through networking, women can support each other long after the event,” she said.
She acknowledged persistent challenges such as limited access to finance, land ownership, and fragile market access.
“That is why we organize exhibitions—to encourage women to add value to their produce and connect them with buyers,” she said.
She also emphasized the importance of agro-processing, noting, “We are still in the early stages of value addition. We encourage women to go into processing to make their products competitive locally and internationally.”
Mrs. Perpetual Kyei, Executive Director of Guzakuza, said her organization has built a pan-African ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in agribusiness.
“Our flagship Ignite programme has trained over 5,000 women from 36 countries since 2015,” she said. “We continue to connect alumni to collaborate and grow.”
Since 2015, Guzakuza has launched programmes such as Ignite, SheFarms, and the continental Women in Agribusiness Week (WAW Africa).
While WAW Africa 2025 will be hosted in Uganda, the Ghana edition marks the first national platform of its kind dedicated to women in agribusiness.
This year’s WAW Ghana was held in partnership with MTN Momo, Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and the Association of Ghana Industries.
Exhibitors showcased processed foods, packaged staples, cosmetics, and beverages produced by women-led enterprises.
Organizers said the programme rotates annually across Ghana to ensure broad participation.
A continental edition, WAW Africa, is scheduled for November, bringing together women entrepreneurs from across Africa to share innovations and expand market access.