The Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) has called for urgent action to address challenges confronting rural women in Ghana, particularly the destruction of farmlands by illegal mining and limited access to finance.
The call was made in a statement issued to mark the International Women’s Day 2026 celebration on March 8, under the theme “Give to Gain.”
The organisation said investing in women remained essential for national development, stressing that empowering women contributes to stronger economies, healthier communities and sustainable growth.
According to the statement signed by Raphael Godlove Ahenu, Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF, Ghana’s progress toward inclusive development would remain incomplete if women, especially those in rural communities, continued to face systemic barriers that limited their opportunities.
The statement noted that although the country had made progress in promoting gender equality, many women still struggled with challenges that undermined their livelihoods and dignity.
Among the key concerns highlighted by the organisation was the growing destruction of agricultural lands and pollution of water bodies caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
GLOMEF said many rural women depended heavily on farming and small-scale trading to support their families, but the environmental damage caused by illegal mining had significantly reduced agricultural productivity and threatened food security in many communities.
The organisation added that women often bore the heaviest burden of the environmental damage, as they struggled to secure food, clean water and economic stability for their households.
Beyond environmental challenges, the foundation also raised concerns about the limited access of rural women to credit, land ownership, modern farming inputs and market opportunities.
It noted that the lack of financial support continued to trap many women farmers and entrepreneurs in low-income activities despite their potential to contribute significantly to economic growth and national development.
GLOMEF therefore called on the Government of Ghana to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s water bodies and agricultural lands.
The organisation also urged the government to accelerate plans to establish the Women Development Bank, which it said could provide accessible and affordable financing for women entrepreneurs, farmers and agro-processors.
The foundation emphasised that empowering women was not only a social responsibility but also a strategic investment that could strengthen productivity, improve food security and promote sustainable community development.
GLOMEF further called on policymakers, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, development partners and the private sector to take concrete steps to ensure that women, particularly those in rural communities, had equal opportunities to thrive.
According to the organisation, supporting women with the right resources and opportunities would help build a more inclusive and prosperous future for Ghana.
