The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has stated that empowering women and youth is not an act of charity but rather smart economics.

Speaking at the launch of the Women and Youth in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Summit and Expo in Accra on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, she emphasized that women and young people are central to Ghana’s vision of a resilient and inclusive economy.

“Women and youth are indeed the backbone of our economy; they must be at the centre of all we do, particularly in agribusiness, where their potential to innovate, create jobs, and drive growth is unmatched,” she said.

The summit, themed ‘Breaking Barriers: Securing Market Access for Women and Youth in Agribusiness,’ was organized by Sophia Karen Edem Ackuaku, a former Member of Parliament for Domeabra-Obom and the leader of Eligreen Agric and Agribusiness Hub.

It aimed to create space for dialogue, empowerment, and collaboration among key players in Ghana’s agribusiness ecosystem.

The founder of Eligreen Agric and Agribusiness Hub, Sofia Akuoko, highlighted the organization’s mission to support women and youth with training, access to finance, market linkages, and mentorship.

“We’re here to break down the barriers that prevent women and youth from thriving in agribusiness,” Ackuaku declared.

She continued, “This is not just about farming—it’s about building careers, wealth, and national development.”

Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, announced a GH¢51.3 million allocation for the establishment of a Women’s Bank. He also reaffirmed that most interventions under the President’s Feed Ghana programme will prioritize women and youth.

“The directive from President Mahama is clear: make young people and women the priority in all agribusiness efforts,” he stated.

The National Service Authority (NSA), represented by Dr Elizabeth Zotorvie, also shared progress under its HAPPY programme, which has trained over 500 graduates and facilitated 15,000 job placements in agriculture.

AM/KA