“Everything that is great in the world, all the works beneficial and good, half must be credited to women, and half only to men, we should.” The hard work and dedication of Ghanaian women farmers have once again exemplified the poetry of Kazi Nazrul Islam. According to estimates from 2020, between 44% and 51.5% of Ghanaian households, or approximately 7.3 million individuals, own or operate a farm. As of 2022, approximately 39.74% of Ghanaian workers were involved in agriculture, and 44.1% of women were engaged in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Although there are many women farmers in Ghana, they still face various challenges. However, by implementing appropriate steps and processes, this problem can be solved, thereby empowering women to become more independent.

Ghana’s agro-industry is actually contributing to the country’s economy. These sectors jointly contributed 18.8% of the country’s GDP in 2022, amounting to approximately US$13.7 billion. The agricultural market in Ghana is expected to reach USD 3.40 billion by 2024 and further reach USD 3.87 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 2.65%. Ghana exports many products, and these top products—cocoa, orange, yam, maize, plantains, mango, palm oil, chestnut, and shea butter, etc.—make it one of the world’s top exporters.

Women are a vital component of cocoa farming, accounting for approximately 40% of the labor involved. They are also fully involved in the production and marketing of fruits, particularly oranges and mangoes. They operate small-scale farms and frequently participate in local markets, contributing to both household income and food security. They also play a significant role in the production of staple crops such as yam, maize, and plantains, which entails heavy women’s involvement in planting and weeding crops like maize, cassava, yams, and vegetables. In the shea butter industry, women lead the collection, processing, and marketing of shea nuts. The shea industry employs over 16 million women in West Africa, including Ghana. This activity provides a vital source of income for many rural women and sustains the livelihoods of their families. Women also have a significant role in the chestnut industry of Ghana. Women, often referred to as “oil palm mamas” or “market queens,” play a significant role in the processing of palm oil. They operate processing mills, sell, and export—especially from the smallholder sector, which produces 76 percent of the country’s crude palm oil.

Women make up 70% of the poultry industry’s workforce, but only 7% own poultry farms. In addition to processing and marketing, they engage in activities such as feeding, cleaning, and managing birds. Women play a significant role in the daily management of dairy animals, particularly through their direct involvement in feeding, milking, and caring for the livestock. They usually take care of the milking and ensure that the animals are healthy and productive.

These women are not only involved in the field, but they also actively participate in the water sector, specifically the fishing industry. Women constitute about 40% of the workforce in the fisheries sector in Ghana. Most women are involved in post-harvest activities: processing, marketing, and selling fish. They contribute significantly to ensuring that fish gets to consumers in excellent condition. Increasingly, organizations are focusing on educating women to improve their lives through self-sufficiency and education. Institutions like CEWEFIA (Central and Western Fishmongers Improvement Association), One Ocean Hub, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Mabel Quarshie, etc., are constantly helping women communities to build a better future with their contributions.

CEWEFIA has made a significant contribution to the success stories of numerous women. Located in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana, CEWEFIA is a women-oriented non-governmental organization. Mrs. Victoria Churchill Koomson established the organization in 1990 with the goal of empowering rural women, particularly fishmongers and women farmers. CEWEFIA designs and executes integrated development programs aimed at bettering the socio-economic status of women residing in rural areas and their communities. These activities include organizing women into cooperatives, providing improved fish processing methods and vocational training, and advocating for women’s rights. Let’s hear the success story of a young girl who has succeeded with the help of CEWEFIA.

Jiania, a very poor young girl who had lost her parents and had no one to support her financially, decided to change her unstable situation on her own initiative. Her strong mentality led her to find CEWEFIA, and after receiving the necessary training, she now owns a small-scale fishing farm. Her confidence has grown, and she is eager to stabilize others’ situations. She didn’t want another young girl to experience the same harsh reality as she had. Therefore, she not only teaches and trains other women but also provides them with financial aid when they are in need. Her ultimate goal is to establish a large organization that will aid the entire women’s community.

Feed the Future, ProFarms Gateway (PFG), and Women in Agricultural Development Directorate (WIAD)—these types of organizations or NGOs are committed to providing the highest quality of education and empowerment for women in Ghana’s farming sectors. They have trained thousands of women in northern Ghana to increase their incomes and strengthen their statuses in their communities.

Another story that touches every woman farmer in Ghana, inspiring them to strive for a better life for themselves and their communities. Charity’s journey demonstrates how hard work and dedication can break barriers and shatter stereotypes in the agricultural sector. At the 39th National Farmers’ Day celebration in Tarkwa of the Western Region, Charity won the prestigious title of 2023 National Best Farmer. She took home a cash prize of 1 million Ghanaian cedi for her sterling effort. All in all, Charity has a total of 277 workers, comprising 64 full-time workers and 212 casual employees. Her commitment to agriculture has served as a role model for other women to get into farming and break barriers in that sector.

Although there are a large number of active women in the entire agro-sector, they still face some challenges. Traditional inheritance practices and gender biases often restrict women’s access to land. Women without secure land tenure find it challenging to make long-term investments on the farm. Normally, women have access to smaller plots as compared to men, which in turn limits their ability to scale up farming operations. Typically, societal norms and gender bias restrict women’s contribution to decision-making processes and leadership in the agricultural sector. In this regard, they occasionally encounter discrimination from suppliers, buyers, and even communities, which can potentially impact business operations and growth. Additional issues that also male farmers encounter, such as restricted access to technology, inadequate infrastructure, logistical limitations, etc.

Recommendations

By taking a few initiatives, the overall situation can be improved. Formulate and implement policies that consider the needs and issues that women in agriculture face, including those related to land rights, labor laws, and social protection. Document and raise awareness about women’s contributions to agriculture while also advocating for their rights and recognition. Promoting the creation of women-led cooperatives and associations is also a way to overcome gender discrimination, in which members provide reciprocal assistance and pool resources. An NGO is an international body working to address the issue of women’s empowerment in agriculture. The collaboration with NGOs will add significant value to the project because organizations such as CEWEFIA, One Ocean Hub, and FAO have already contributed a lot in this regard. Additionally, investors can play a significant role by establishing more well-being communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), thereby ensuring prosperity for both entrepreneurs and organizations, as well as for women. Many women in Ghana are eager to join and participate in these organizations, and an increase in the number of these organizations will aid in addressing the challenges that women encounter in their daily lives. Investors can generate substantial returns on their investment while also assisting women’s organizations in Ghana and promoting a more sustainable and prosperous future for the nation.