Women farmers in the Kintampo South District have been encouraged to embrace a consistent savings culture as a key step toward financial empowerment and securing credit support for their agricultural ventures.
This advice comes from Mr. John Anonpure, Branch Manager of the Jema office of the Brong-Ahafo Catholic Cooperative Society for Development (BACCSOD), who believes women are central to rural economic transformation if given the right financial tools and support.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Anonpure stressed that many women, despite their critical role in food production, are unable to access funding during peak crop seasons due to poor savings habits and limited financial records.
“We want to support more women in agriculture, but the key is for them to start saving, no matter how little. Once we can trace their savings behaviour and build their financial profile, it becomes easier to support them with credit,” he said.
Credit Access Tied to Trust and Structure
Mr. Anonpure explained that BACCSOD’s rural financing model is designed to be inclusive but relies heavily on trust, accountability, and group cooperation. Farmers—particularly women—are therefore encouraged to organize themselves into cooperative groups, which improves their chances of securing loans for crop cultivation and agribusiness.
He said the Society had already provided financial support to dozens of local farmers, especially those involved in cashew, mango, maize, yam, and vegetable cultivation, and expressed the hope that more women would come forward under structured associations.
“When farmers work in groups, it reduces our lending risk and improves repayment rates. This is why we prioritize groups in our credit disbursement,” he explained.
Safeguarding Savings and Avoiding Scams
Mr. Anonpure also warned against the increasing number of unlicensed financial schemes operating in rural areas, urging farmers not to fall for unrealistic promises of high interest returns.
“We advise all our clients to avoid saving money at home or falling for scams. With BACCSOD, your money is safe, and you build a verifiable record to access future loans,” he emphasized.
BACCSOD’s Broader Mission
BACCSOD, established by the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, has been operating across the Bono and Ahafo regions for decades, offering tailored financial services to smallholder farmers, rural traders, and micro enterprises. Its mission goes beyond banking — aiming to uplift rural livelihoods and reduce poverty through financial inclusion.
Mr. Anonpure concluded with a call to action:
“We’re not just a financial institution. We’re part of the community. When women are financially empowered, the entire village thrives. Let’s work together to make that happen.”
The message resonates strongly in a region where access to credit remains one of the biggest hurdles to scaling up rural farming, especially for women who often bear the brunt of unpaid agricultural labour without the means to expand.
