At the seventh edition of Gathering of the Royals and the Nana Konadu Legacy Honours and Awards, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings made a passionate call for systemic changes to ensure women have equal access to agricultural opportunities. She emphasized that eliminating barriers and providing the right resources would position women as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the sector.
The event, organized by Agrihouse Foundation in collaboration with the Queen Mothers Foundation, recognizes women who are making a tangible impact in their communities. This year’s theme, Seeds of Change: Honouring Leadership, Inspiring Hope, and Strengthening Women to Innovatively Enhance Our Agrifood Future, underscored the need for actionable strategies to empower women in agriculture.
Over 100 queen mothers from Ghana’s 16 regions participated in discussions on gender equality, leadership, and economic sustainability in the agricultural sector. Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings called for increased investment in farming resources such as seeds, fertilizers, financial literacy programs, and access to markets to ensure women thrive in agribusiness.
“Sustainable agriculture is not only about growing crops but also about creating opportunities for financial independence and decision-making power for women,” she stated. She highlighted that women are at the core of Ghana’s economic growth and food security, making it imperative to provide mentorship, training, and technology to enhance their participation in agribusiness.
Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey and Patron of Gathering of the Royals, encouraged queen mothers to build support networks to strengthen their business endeavors.
“As your representative, I am here to voice your concerns in Parliament. I urge you to engage with me so that we can push for policies that truly address the challenges you face,” she said.
She reiterated that empowering women in agriculture is a collective effort that requires collaboration from governments, financial institutions, and private-sector stakeholders.
Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, called for innovative community-driven solutions to strengthen food security in Ghana. She noted that the recent USAID aid freeze should push the country toward self-sufficiency, urging local farmers to adopt more innovative and sustainable agricultural practices.
The Gathering of the Royals continues to be a vital platform for fostering dialogue, policy change, and action-oriented discussions aimed at ensuring that women in agriculture are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. As Ghana moves forward, stakeholders hope that increased investments in women-led agribusinesses will lead to long-term economic transformation.
