The Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), an international economic development organization, in collaboration with the Center for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies (CECOTAPS), has organized a stakeholder consultative forum with the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs.
The event, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), took place in Damongo and culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ensuring women’s uninterrupted access to land for farming in the Savannah Region.
The forum, held on Wednesday, 24th July, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the efforts to empower women farmers by providing them with secure land access.
This initiative is part of MEDA’s Greater Rural Opportunities for Women 2 (GROW2) project, which aims to enhance the socioeconomic well-being of women in agriculture by addressing traditional barriers to land ownership.
The MoU, a collaborative effort between the Regional Department of Gender and the Regional House of Chiefs, aims to mitigate women farmers’ vulnerability to sudden changes in land allocation, providing a stable foundation for sustainable agricultural practices. This builds on the success of a similar MoU signed in 2018 under the first phase of the GROW2 project in the Upper West Region.
The event drew participants from various sectors, including representatives from the Regional House of Chiefs, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, community leaders, landowners, media agencies, and women smallholder farmers, underscoring the importance of collective action in promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s socioeconomic status in agriculture.
The GROW2 project, a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to support 40,000 smallholder women farmers, 5,000 entrepreneurs, and 50 agribusinesses (at least 50% women-led) in northern Ghana’s soybean, groundnut, and vegetable value chains. It focuses on fostering an improved business environment, applying climate-smart and nutrition-focused agricultural practices, and enhancing gender equality.
In his remarks, Mr. Francis Ensuman, Country Programs Manager at MEDA, highlighted the project’s achievements, including reaching 52,612 women smallholder farmers and enrolling 60 agribusinesses, with over half being women-led. The project has facilitated access to finance, technologies, and markets, significantly benefiting women farmers in the Savannah Region.
“We are excited to facilitate this MoU adoption, which represents a significant step towards securing land rights for women farmers in the Savannah Region. Ensuring that women have uninterrupted access to fertile land is crucial for their economic empowerment and the overall development of the agricultural sector,” stated by Francis Essuman, Country Project Manager of the GROW2 project.
The King of Gonjaland and President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, HRM Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), in a speech read on his behalf, commended the efforts to uplift livelihoods and called for continued support for the GROW2 project. He emphasized the importance of peace in achieving the project’s goals and urged members to promote harmony in the region.
Mr. Nereous Daguah, Senior Programs Officer at CECOTAPS on behalf of the CECOTAPS Director reiterated the importance of the MoU in empowering women and enhancing community prosperity. He emphasized the need for continuous support and collective action to promote gender equality and sustainable development.
“The collaboration with the Regional House of Chiefs and the Regional Department of Gender demonstrates a shared commitment to addressing the challenges faced by women farmers. This MoU will provide a foundation for sustainable agricultural practices and long-term economic stability for women in the region,” Mr. Nereous Daguah stated
Madam Cynthia Kutir, Environment and Climate Change Manager at MEDA, highlighted the environmental benefits of securing land tenure for women farmers. She stressed that empowering women with secure land rights leads to economic growth, environmental conservation, and improved food security.
The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to remain vigilant and proactive in promoting gender equality and supporting women’s access to land. This MoU signifies a shared commitment to creating a brighter, more prosperous future for women farmers and their communities in the Savannah Region.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
