The Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, has called on government, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector to increase investments in women farmers through affordable credit, mechanisation, training, market access and land security.
Speaking at the She Grows Conference in Savelugu, Madam Patricia Appiagyei stressed that investing in women is not charity but one of the smartest economic decisions a country can make.
According to her, economic empowerment goes beyond earning an income and includes the ability of women to make decisions, own productive assets, access opportunities and build better futures for their families and communities.
“When a woman succeeds economically, the entire household benefits. When children stay in school, families are healthier, and communities become more prosperous. As we pursue economic empowerment, we must also embrace the green economy. Agriculture is now a pathway to entrepreneurship, wealth creation and leadership,” she stated.
The conference, held under the theme “Her Hands, Our Harvest: The Future is Fertile,” was organised by the Yooyili Pag-Dede Foundation and spearheaded by the Member of Parliament for Savelugu Constituency, Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz.
Addressing participants, Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz said the conference was designed to change the narrative surrounding rural women in agriculture, who are often viewed merely as subsistence farmers.
“Our women are not charity cases. They are farmers, innovators, business owners and economic drivers. They are the architects of a green economy that the world is only just beginning to understand,” she said.
The MP noted that the programme seeks to move women beyond survival into growth, sustainability and long-term prosperity through modern agricultural tools, digital literacy and branding skills.
She further encouraged participants to take advantage of the training opportunities, build networks and seek mentorship that could help transform their businesses and livelihoods.
As part of the initiative, about 500 women from Savelugu and surrounding communities received training and mentorship in agriculture, agribusiness and trade from industry experts, including Executive Chef Failatu Abdul Razak, Hajia Sagito-Saeed, Dr Juliana Bawah and Jeffery Crentsil.
