In a sustained effort to empower women and farmers with disabilities in Ghana’s agricultural sector, Global Affairs Canada has renewed its partnership with the Agrihouse Foundation, reinforcing its role as the official Programme Partner for the upcoming Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and the Gold in the Soil Awards.
Now entering its seventh year, this collaboration underscores Canada’s strategic focus on promoting inclusive economic growth and gender equality within Ghana’s agriculture industry—a sector historically challenged by inequities in land ownership, access to finance, technology, and training for women.
The two-day event, scheduled for July 9, 2025, in Ghana’s Central Region, will convene approximately 650 participants, including women farmers, agro-processors, agripreneurs, extension officers, and policy advocates. The forum aims to enhance agribusiness leadership skills, foster gender inclusion, and bolster economic resilience among rural women.
Day one will engage participants in practical business development and leadership training, while day two will culminate with the prestigious Gold in the Soil Awards. These awards honor outstanding contributions to agribusiness across 17 categories, celebrating the dedication and innovation of women leaders who are reshaping Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
Mr. Mathieu Lacasse, Second Secretary at the Canadian High Commission and lead for the agriculture sector, emphasized the vital role of the partnership in providing rural women with opportunities to learn, connect, and be recognized. “Farming and agro-processing require resilience,” he said, “and through shared learning and recognition, these initiatives empower women to overcome challenges and step into leadership roles within their communities.”
Since its inception, the WOFAGRIC programme and the Gold in the Soil Awards have directly impacted over 5,000 rural women farmers across multiple regions including Volta, Ashanti, Upper East, Upper West, Western, Western North, Eastern, and Bono. The ripple effect of this support has reached over 55,000 individuals through mentorship and capacity-building efforts.
Agrihouse Foundation’s Executive Director, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, hailed the partnership as a “strategic alliance for impact,” emphasizing that it goes beyond financial support to provide women and marginalized farmers with visibility, skills, and a platform to influence agricultural development policies.
As Ghana continues to confront barriers to inclusive agriculture, this partnership with Canada stands as a beacon for sustainable development—lifting women farmers from the margins and placing them at the forefront of the country’s agribusiness transformation.
