The Birifor Women Association (BWA), in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district of the Savannah Region has appealed to the government and other development agencies to assist them with modern farm implements. The appeal was made during the 7th Annual Congress of the Association in Kalba in the Sawla-Tuna Kalba district of the Savannah region under the theme, “Nursing the Baby Savannah Region through Agriculture and Formal Education”.
The Birifor Women Association is a women empowerment group, in Sawla-Tuna Kalba district, that seeks to enforce women participation into developmental activities in their communities as well as participate in national development.
The Association said, the provision of farm implements such as tractors and fertilizers would help engage them fully in agriculture and improve their livelihood.
Madam Agnes Naamwindor, the President of the Association said that many women in the region have developed interest to go into commercial farming but lack funding and support.
She acknowledged the effort from some benevolent people who have supported the association with some items to help achieve its aim. She added that the association is facing some challenges to raise the needed capital and inputs to assist its members to enter into commercial farming. She therefore, called for more support from government and other philanthropic organizations for assistance.
To end her speech at the annual congress, Madam Naamwindor, admonished the women to put up their best to ensure instil peace, unity and development in the Savannah region.
Mr Salifu Adam Braimah, the Savannah Regional Minister said the theme of the ceremony is timely and appropriate since the Savannah region is very young and needs to be nursed through and agriculture formal education in order to catch up with the other existing regions.
He said government has, however, instituted policies and programmes such as the free Senior High school and planting for food and jobs, to improve the lives of women through education and agriculture.
Mr Braimah said, for 2019, government has targeted one million farmers across the country and at least 4,000 farmers including women groups registering in each district.
“So far in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district, about 756 females representing 22 per cent has registered,” he said.
He said, as a way of empowering women against poverty, more than 400 women are currently benefiting from the ‘Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme’ in 39 communities and the government is making an efforts to increase the number to 2,500 women this year.
He gave the assurance that government is committed making sure that the livelihood of the people in the Savannah region would improve through health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation, among others.
Mr Adrew Dari Chiwitey, the Member of Parliament for the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Constituency asserted that throughout history, the central role of women in the society especially in the areas of education and agriculture had ensured stability, progress and long-term development of nations.
He, therefore, called on the Birifor Women Association to enhance their performance in terms of education and agriculture to make Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district and the Savannah region a better place to live.
