The unwavering hands of women in Ghana are the driving force behind the rhythmic hum of rural life. By dedicating their lives to farming and agribusiness, these women—often unsung heroes—ensure food security for communities and families.
They continue to be unappreciated in spite of their enormous contributions, and they face structural obstacles that prevent them from developing. However, their tenacity sustains Ghana's agricultural economy. A woman farmer's life A normal day for farmer Esther Kyerewaa Twumasi, founder of Miss Agriculture Ghana and co-founder of the Chamber of Women in Agribusiness Ghana, involves striking a delicate balance between household duties, community involvement, and agricultural work.
Harvesting cocoa pods is one of the farm tasks that get my day started early. The husks are then processed by me into potash, which is used to make black soap. Additionally, I support women farmers and interact with communities for a portion of the day," Esther stated. Many other women in agriculture, such as 43-year-old Akua Mensah, a subsistence farmer in the Brong-Ahafo Region, have similar experiences to hers. Akua starts her day early, cooking for her five-member family and walking five kilometers to her farm.
"I cultivate groundnuts, maize, and cassava," she replied, grinning wearily. "My family depends on these for food, and any extra is sold to cover other expenses like school fees." The stories of these women highlight the variety of responsibilities they play, including those of caregivers, breadwinners, and innovators in addition to farmers.
With about 50% of the workforce employed in the agricultural sector, women like Esther and Akua form the backbone of Ghana's economy. While Akua depends on staple crops to provide for her family, Esther concentrates on growing cocoa and turning its husks into black soap. Mary Amoako, a farmer from the Volta Region, has started cultivating tomatoes and yams. She notes that although these crops thrive in this area, they are extremely delicate, particularly during periods of precipitation.
They help ensure Ghana's food security and support millions of households. However, the larger agricultural system rarely acknowledges or supports these efforts, which are frequently underappreciated. Obstacles faced by female farmers The biggest obstacle facing the nation's female farmers is their restricted access to land. Women are frequently forced to rely on borrowed or family-owned plots because traditional practices frequently favor men when it comes to property ownership.
"This land is not mine. My uncle owns it. Anytime he wants, he can choose to give it to someone else," Akua disclosed. Another significant obstacle is credit availability. Women like Mary are unable to obtain loans to purchase better tools, seeds, or fertilizer without collateral. “Banks won’t lend us money because they think we can’t pay back.” “It’s hard to recover when my crops fail,” she remarked.
In addition to financial difficulties, women are under social pressure to balance farming and family activities. Speaking about her twin duties as a farmer and an advocate for women in agriculture, Esther said, "There's also the challenge of balancing community outreach with personal commitments." Resilience and inventiveness Ghanaian women farmers are coming up with creative strategies to prosper in spite of these obstacles. A great example of resourcefulness is Esther's use of cocoa husks to make potash for black soap. To increase soil fertility, 50-year-old Abena Ayisi of the Upper East Region has also embraced composting.
began utilizing compost rather of synthetic fertilizers. My crops grow better and it's less expensive," says Abena. Another way to advance is through cooperatives. In order to pool resources, exchange information, and offer support to one another, women from the Central Region, such as Afi Komla, have organized farming organizations.
Each week, we make modest financial contributions. "We use the money to support her when she needs it," Afi said. Women farmers are also gaining access to important information thanks to technology. Farmers can make well-informed decisions about planting and selling crops thanks to platforms like Esoko, which offer real-time market prices and weather reports.
Women farmers continue to innovate, but outside assistance is erratic. NGOs like CARE International and ActionAid Ghana are taking the initiative to empower women in agriculture by providing training in financial literacy, climate resilience, and advanced farming methods. The most marginalized women, especially those living in remote locations, are frequently left out of government programs like Planting for Food and Jobs, which offer subsidies for seeds and fertilizer. Dr. Afua Sarpong, an agricultural expert, stated, "We need more extension officers to reach women in remote areas; education is key to helping them improve their productivity."
The systemic obstacles preventing women from achieving their full potential in agriculture must be addressed by stakeholders. This includes targeted educational initiatives, better access to reasonably priced loans, and legislation that support women's land ownership. It's also critical to alter how society views women's contributions to agriculture. Ghana can foster an atmosphere where women farmers prosper by acknowledging and appreciating their achievements. These improvements hold promise for Abena, Mary, Akua, and Esther. "I just need a little assistance. I can do so much more for my family if I have better equipment and training," Akua remarked. "With the right tools and support, we can transform agriculture in Ghana," Esther said, expressing her desire to see women farmers making greater use of their resources. Adaptability in
