The Ignite 2019 successfully ended with fifteen women from and across the African continent, networking, sharing ideas and connections to change and transforming the scope of women in the Agric value chain at Silver Towers in Accra.
The programme was instigated on 20th November 2019 to give three weeks practical knowledge in the agricultural value chain most importantly on value addition to the women in the Agribusiness.
Madam Paulina Addy, giving a speech on behalf of the deputy minister of Food and Agriculture, she stated that the ministry is poised of the great contributions that Guzakuza is providing through Ignite programme to whip the interest in young women in the agricultural sector and giving them the leverage and scalability on the International front.
She assured that the ministry is committed to supporting the women in the Agric value chain. “From the ministry, now we are very sensitive towards women. I belong to the Directorate of women within the agriculture space and there has being a discussion on Modernizing Agriculture in the smaller scale level including the women in the sense that extension is going to be free for the women so far as the ministry survives because it is very necessary for agricultural productivity”, she equanimous.
She implored the Igniters not to only focus on production as the only activity in the Agric value chain but also take a look at post-production which is very crucial in the value chain.
Nana Adjoa A. Sifa, the initiator of Guzakuza explained the efficacy of women to take the driving seat in the agricultural sector. She espoused how the Ignite programme has contributed to the development of women across Africa.
She mentioned that the programme since 2016 has produced thirty (30) able independent women who are contributing to the production of Food produce right from production to value-added to gear towards creating jobs and food security for the continent.
Mss. Nana Adjoa A. Sifa solicited for assistance from the Stakeholders in the agriculture value chain to come on board and sponsor such a cardinal programme for Women development in the agricultural sector.
Annotating the achievement of Guzakuza in improving lives of women in the agricultural sector, Mrs. Marian Ofori Twumasi, the CEO of Mariseth Farms, 2018 Igniter and a District Oil Palm Best Farmer at Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai in recognition of the outstanding contribution towards the development of Agriculture, thanked Guzakuza for sparking up the dying nature of agriculture in her. She narrated that before she joined Ignite in 2018, she has come there to sell off her farm to some of the women who have applied.
She espoused how the programme transformed her ideology of selling the farm, “before I came to Ignite I felt like giving up and I told the initiator that I was looking for someone to sell the farm to but after meeting amazing life minded women across Africa I realized I wasn’t alone. These women were doing great in their businesses and after learning from them I was inspired, encouraged and motivated to put up my best in farming”, she recounted.
According to her, Ignite metamorphosed her attitude towards agriculture to agribusiness. Initially, she handled farming as a cultural activity but not as a serious business and this has earned her the honour as the District Best Farmer in Oil Palm.
The impediment to women in the Agribusiness she said is the lack of extension officers to assist the women in their agronomical activities on the farm. She added that bad road networks are making their activities very strenuous.
Adding to what women in the Agribusiness sector professed, Mr. Charles Sam, CEO, Golden Future Promotions applauded the women for the drive and zeal to enter into Agribusiness. He commented on the potency of women to be determined and result oriented.
He decried that men have failed to manage the continent and the time has come to empower and support the women to contribute to the development of the continent. He concluded that women contribute about 70% of the workforce in the agricultural sector, therefore, they must be supported.
At the end of the Ignite 2019, the fifteen women were awarded a certificate of participation and some with personal awards based on their immense contribution during the programme.
1. Most cooperative – Tsaone Mokwatso, Botswana.
2. Most disciplined – Rhoda Saan, Ghana.
3. Most Punctual – Oluwaseaun Nji-Kolawole, Nigeria.
4. Most lively – Khumo Mosathupa, South Africa.
5. Most Adventurous – Alshima Mohamed, Suda.
6. Most eloquent – Marie-Louise Annan, Ghana.
7. Most Competitive – Christiana Esinam Atange, Ghana.
The adjudged overall best Igniter 2019, Tsaone Mokwatso from Botswana apprised Agric Today that Ignite 2019 has been an eye-opener and adventurous which has given her more knowledge and skills into her business.
She opined that one of the critical things one needs as an entrepreneur is an industrial attachment. “Ignite provided the platform to get access to practical knowledge through industrial attachment we needed and this has given us experience as young entrepreneurs. As entrepreneurs we think a times we know all but should go out from their comfort zones and see what other people are doing, appreciate more and learn new techniques and see the new innovations others are employing in their businesses”, she voiced out.
She thanked the organizers for organizing such a wonderful programme to bring women in the Agribusiness from the African continent to network and share ideas. She noted that upon all the experience she has gained networking was critical.
Ignite is a Guzakuza initiative for young women in Agribusiness which is designed to promote job and wealth creation. Every year about 16 women are selected across the African continent to participate in this game-changing initiative.
