The past few weeks have been nothing but great and memorable experiences for the women who have dared to break the jinx in an area entirely dominated by men.
These women have undergone series of theoretical and practical training in tractor operation and maintenance. The first week focused on all the theoretical aspect of the tractor training including the components of the tractor and functions, engine components and maintenance.
The second week marked the starting point in the practical training of tractor operation. Although the trainees are into farming, most of them are not used to tractor operation. Speaking to some of the trainees, Mrs Victoria Dansoa Abankwa, an agriculturalist in charge of Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) unit in Cape Coast metropolis, who also run topical agricultural radio talk show called Akuafo Kyefa at GBC Radio station in central region, expressed that although she is an agriculturalist she has never been engaged in such intense training which is transforming the ladies to venture into an occupational field.
‘This is what I was looking for. I have been championing women in Agriculture and I believe this programme would bring the best in women and erase the impression that some jobs are for the men especially tractor operation. We are so grateful and we promise to give our best so that at the end of the programme Ghana would know that women can really champion the course of tractor operation and maintenance’, Mrs Victoria hinted. According to her, she is glad to drive the tractor for the first time and she would use her medium to encourage her colleagues to venture into this training.
The third week focused on industrial attachment at the various industries that make use of Agric machinery. The motive was to identify various kinds of Agric machinery and their uses. According to the facilitators, this would help the beneficiaries to identify different kinds of tractors and other Agricultural machinery and their maintenance. Some of the industries visited were Global Agric-Development Company, Mechanical Lloyd and Dizengoff Ghana.
WiDS also paid a courtesy call to GIZ Ghana (supporters of the WiDS project). In the meeting with Mr. Alan Walsch, the country director of GIZ, he expressed his satisfaction on how the beneficiaries have dedicated themselves for the programme and as country director who is enthused about gender issues, especially in women development in Agribusiness sector, he assured them that he would dialogue with the Ghana government to put good measures in place to put these women into good use when they come out of the training.
He advised those who already work with farms to make sure they put their skills obtained at the training into good use.
