The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and MEL Consulting Limited have hosted a “Women in Agribusiness” Summit to highlight the contributions of women in Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The event brought together women-led agribusinesses, farmers, processors, business service providers, financial institutions, members of government and development partners.

A statement signed by Sharon Cromer, USAID/Ghana’s Mission Director and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the summit promoted investment opportunities and linked women-led agribusinesses to business advisory service providers and financial institutions.

It said the agenda featured panel discussions on finance and business support for women-led agribusinesses, as well as business-to-business sessions.

The statement said the event concluded with an awards ceremony honouring women-led agribusinesses and smallholder actors for their contribution to Ghana’s agriculture sector.

It said: “USAID believe agriculture is paramount in driving Ghana’s sustainable economic growth.

“USAID Feed the Future Initiative works to equip individuals and communities by investing in gender-smart solutions. We are linking business service providers to women-led agribusinesses to increase their productivity and access to markets. Fostering broad-based inclusive economic growth means unlocking everyone’s potential, including women, to fully utilise their talents.”

The statement said dignitaries in attendance were Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sharon L. Cromer, USAID/Ghana Mission Director and Fatih Ermis, Nestlé West and Central Africa’s Head of Agricultural Services.

The event was organised through the Feed the Future and its partners, with support from USAID.

Feed the Future works to increase access to finance for agribusinesses and smallholder farmers and improve agricultural productivity. It has unlocked $140 million in private capital for more than 2,400 agribusinesses in the maize, rice and soy value chains.

These efforts have benefited more than 150,000 smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana, 42 percent of whom are women.

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realise their potential. USAID has supported Ghana in increasing food security, improving basic health care, enhancing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaian people.