Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings has called for the removal of barriers that hinder women’s participation in agriculture, advocating for increased opportunities to foster their growth, leadership, and prosperity in the sector.
Speaking at the seventh edition of Gathering of the Royals and the Nana Konadu Legacy Honours and Awards, she emphasized that women, when provided with the right tools and resources, have the potential to become innovative entrepreneurs and leaders. The event, organized by Agrihouse Foundation in collaboration with the Queen Mothers Foundation, seeks to recognize and celebrate women making significant contributions to society across various fields.
This year’s event, themed Seeds of Change: Honouring Leadership, Inspiring Hope, and Strengthening Women to Innovatively Enhance Our Agrifood Future, brought together over 100 queen mothers from across Ghana’s 16 regions. The gathering served as a platform to foster dialogue, share experiences, and promote gender equality within the agricultural sector.
In her address, Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings stressed the importance of equipping women with essential farming resources, including seeds, fertilizers, access to markets, financial literacy, and modern agricultural techniques. She highlighted the vital role women play in economic growth, productivity, and food security, urging continuous investment in their training, mentorship, and technological advancement.
“Sustainable agriculture is not just about growing crops but also about building livelihoods. Empowering women farmers enables them to become decision-makers and investors, thereby strengthening the agricultural economy,” she stated.
She called for a collaborative approach among governments, private sector players, financial institutions, and community leaders to create an inclusive agricultural sector where women can thrive, communities flourish, and national food security is ensured.
Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey and Patron of Gathering of the Royals, urged the queen mothers to establish networks that would allow them to support one another in their agricultural businesses.
“I stand here as your representative, ready to raise your concerns in Parliament. Tell me what you need, and I will push for it on the floor of Parliament,” she assured.
She emphasized that advancing women’s participation in agriculture required a collective effort from all sectors to ensure greater empowerment and inclusion.
Agrihouse Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of fostering community-driven innovation and self-sufficiency. She pointed out that the recent aid freeze by USAID should serve as an opportunity for Ghana to enhance local agricultural initiatives and strengthen food security through innovation and sustainable policies.
The Gathering of the Royals continues to serve as a crucial platform for promoting women’s empowerment in agriculture, encouraging action-oriented discussions, and driving policies that enhance gender inclusivity in Ghana’s agrifood sector.
