GITAC forum champions stakeholder collaboration in female agripreneurs

The Global India Trade Advisory Chamber (GITAC) has reiterated its commitment in empowering women in agribusiness spotlighting their potential as transformative forces in Africa’s food systems.

This declaration was made during the third edition of the Women in Agribusiness Forum, held in Accra, under the rallying theme: “When Women Grow, Africa Grows.”

Organised in collaboration with the GITAC International Foundation, the high-level forum convened policymakers, agribusiness leaders, development experts, and advocates to design bold strategies that position women as key drivers of agricultural transformation.

“Agriculture is more than farming—it is survival. And across Africa, women are the heartbeat of this sector. Yet, they remain underrepresented in decision-making and denied access to the tools they need to lead. This must change,” said Dr. Dominic Oduro Antwi, President of the Global Africa Trade Advisory Chamber.

Breaking barriers, building futures

Discussions at the forum zeroed in on dismantling long-standing barriers that hinder women’s growth in agribusiness—limited access to financing, land, digital technology, and market networks. Speakers called for urgent reforms to create an enabling environment where female agripreneurs can scale their businesses, build wealth, and shape agricultural policy.

An entrepreneur Rashida Ali and a participant at the forum stressed the importance of making agriculture more attractive to the youth, especially young women. “We need to change the perception of agribusiness. With the right research, financial support, and incentives, it can be a powerful and profitable career path for the next generation,” she said.

Adding an international perspective, Kinda Velloza, an immigration lawyer based in Atlanta, USA, advocated for a coordinated global approach to women’s empowerment in agriculture.

“It will take all stakeholders working together , governments, investors, educators to position women at the center of agricultural innovation. This is about power-sharing and progress,” she noted.

Mentorship and Policy Reform

A significant focus of the forum was the need for mentorship and the creation of gender-responsive agricultural policies that prioritize women at every level, from local cooperatives to national strategy.

By investing in mentorship programs, the forum underscored the importance of building a strong pipeline of young female leaders in agriculture. The forum also celebrated powerful stories of resilience and ingenuity, showcasing women-led enterprises that are redefining agribusiness across the value chain from agro-processing to tech-driven solutions in climate-smart farming.

From words to action

The message from Accra was resounding: it’s time to move beyond rhetoric and commit to action. Strategic investment, inclusive financing, and policy reform must replace token gestures.

“We can no longer afford to treat women’s empowerment in agriculture as a side conversation.This is not charity—it’s smart economics and a roadmap to Africa’s food security,” said Dr. Antwi.

As the forum concluded, stakeholders left with a renewed commitment: to ensure that women are not only part of the agricultural conversation—but leading it.

The post GITAC forum champions stakeholder collaboration in female agripreneurs appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story