GWAT champions transition to agroecology

By Deborah Asantewaah SARFO

The Ghana Women in Agroecology and Territorial Markets (GWAT) is set to embark on a journey in the agric sector focused on championing the transition to agroecology as a sustainable farming system practice and business in the country.

In actualising the group’s mandate, stakeholders converged in Accra – highlighting the immense benefits of agroecology and establishing an interim leadership to support the association achieve its mandate. They include the president, vice president and three others who will be supported by regional coordinators.

The Programmes Officer of GWAT, Fortune Kyei, added that having a structured group made up of 20 people will enable the group to register as an independent association that will seek for funds to execute the association’s future projects.

The meeting brought together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds who, together with participants, outlined some strategies to implement in advocating agroecology, creating an enabling environment and support systems for farmers transitioning to agroecology.

GWAT is an initiative of Guzakuza – a dynamic organisation dedicated to empowering women in agribusiness throughout Africa – in collaboration with Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA); paving the way for equitable food systems across Africa and ensuring that women communities and farmers thrive.

Ms. Kyei noted that they expect the interim leadership to put together a workable constitution and build a well-structured association, with members forming active committees to undertake future activities that tie-in the mission and vision of GWAT.

Considering the association-members’ enthusiasm, she is confident that the group will not end up like some women organisations that were not sustained; rather, GWAT will be “a different kind of association formed for women being run by women and of women”.

President of the interim leadership, Emefa Jeanny Ansong Mensah, noted that they envision making agroecology a known name in Ghana and offering intensive education sessions for Ghanaians to accept and understand what agroecology is all about – adding that its benefits encompass both the farmer and end-user of the product.

She added that: “Agroecology comes in as an answer to the many challenges facing the globe – from climate change to the health and growth of businesses”.

Ms. Mensah emphasised that after a successful transition to agroecology, the country can produce safe products and put good money into the pockets of citizens to sustain our families.

She assured GWAT members of  a strong leadership who will collaborate with members and together make the association’s name recognised at both the local and international levels.

“Our members should expect to have a very good, strong and viable executive team; not to just oversee but to bring everybody onboard.  It is a community, we are doing this together. Agroecology is not just for the business entities but cuts across to what life entails,” she emphasised.

She noted that funds from the APSA resources to support the association’s activities for the next one year are readily available – but in subsequent years AFSA and Guzakuza, together with other partners, will throw their support behind GWAT in seeking funds for the community’s projected future activities.

She called on all interested persons – specifically women in the agriculture sector – to join the community and advocate for agroecology; and together transition to agroecology via all the media platforms.

Last year, Guzakuza and AFSA held a stakeholder roundtable meeting to increase knowledge of agroecology, propose policy recommendations, strengthen stakeholder networks and increase visibility and support for agroecology.

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