Ghana's Agribusiness Expo: Empowering Women and Youth in Agriculture

Ghana's Eligreen Agribusiness Expo Opens Doors for Women and Youth in Agriculture Accra, Ghana – Eligreen, a Ghanaian agribusiness hub, recently launched an expo aimed at breaking down barriers and securing better market access for women and youth in the agricultural sector. The event, held in Accra, featured various agricultural products and attracted numerous participants and government officials. The expo's theme, "Breaking Barriers: Securing Market Access for Women and Youth in Agribusiness," underscores the initiative's focus on empowering women and young people in agriculture. Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture, Dr. Peter Buamah Ottokono, emphasized the government's plan to cultivate 200,000 new hectares of cocoa and involve more youth and women in this effort. He stated, "The cocoa cultivation age is now above 60 years, so we need to drive in more young people to become more productive and meet the competing needs of the cocoa market internationally." Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare also revealed the ministry's plan to double efforts to increase raw material production to meet local demand, addressing the current import of 80% of raw materials for industry. Eligreen founder and former MP for Domeabra-Obom, Sophia Akuaku, highlighted the initiative's goal of creating agri-employment opportunities for Ghanaians, particularly women, encouraging them to view farming not as punishment but as a lucrative venture. "Money is on the ground," she emphasized. The expo's success demonstrates a significant step toward empowering women and youth in Ghana's agricultural sector, fostering economic growth and development.