The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs, Dr Godfrey Jasaw, has called for stronger support for African women in agriculture and entrepreneurship to address structural and institutional challenges hampering their growth.
He stressed that since women on continent form 63 per cent of actors in the agricultural value chain, addressing these barriers is critical to transforming the sector and ensuring food security.
Dr Jasaw made the call last Friday at an event organised by AGRA in Accra to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.
The event was held under the theme: ‘Empowering Women, Transforming Trade: Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential.’
He commended AGRA, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), security agencies, railway institutions, and especially women in agriculture for their contributions to the sector.
He assured stakeholders that Parliament was ready to collaborate on initiatives that would facilitate food system transformation in the country.
Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Hannah Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, lauded the resilience of Ghanaian women, stressing that they should be valued regardless of their profession.
She said, “Every activity that promotes the empowerment of women should not be underestimated but prioritised.”
Similarly, Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms and MP for Tempane, Lydia Timpani, underscored the need for women to receive fair value for their produce.
AGRA President, Alice Rhuweza, speaking virtually during the programme, stated that while women make up 63 per cent of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and significantly contribute to food security, they are often excluded from major decision-making processes.
The Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative FAO, Mr Abebe Haile-Gabriel, noted that women sustain economies across Africa yet face systemic barriers such as limited access to finance, restrictive policies, trade-related gender biases, and infrastructure deficits.
Mr Haile-Gabriel urged governments and stakeholders to take concrete actions, including providing tailored financial products, mentorship programmes, and leveraging technology to support women in trade.
He cited FAO’s 2023 report, The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems, which revealed that closing the gender gap in agriculture could increase global GDP by one per cent and reduce food insecurity for 45 million people.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
The post Dr Jasaw advocates support for African women in agriculture, entrepreneurship appeared first on Ghanaian Times.
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