Sowing Seeds of Progress: Empowering Women Farmers in Ghana

Landing in Tamale, the northern heat of Ghana greeted our diverse team of six Canadians and two Ghanaians. Stepping into a well-traveled white van, we embarked on a two-hour journey northwest, where dry conditions and a haze of red dust painted the landscape and offered a vivid back-drop into the world of rural agriculture. Passing small villages with beehive-shaped mud-walled dwellings, goats roamed freely, weaving through traffic and crossing roads with ease. Here we would discover the unique challenges and triumphs of women farmers in rural Ghana. 

As we crossed a bridge, the sight of women doing laundry in a river emphasized the daily challenges in this rural region. Our destination, near the town of Karaga, revealed a collection of buildings where 30 women and several children had gathered in the shade of large trees. Welcomed by lively singing and dancing, we had entered the realm of the Women Farmers Empowerment Program, an initiative by Sinapi Aba Savings & Loans, our partner in Ghana.

Alleviating Poverty by Empowering Women Farmers

Today, three-quarters of the world’s poor live in rural regions and rely on agriculture to earn a living. Women farmers account for over 40% of this workforce, yet face significant barriers including lack of access to financing, markets, training, and education. Empowering farmers to increase productivity and enhance their investments must be a key strategy to alleviating poverty. Sinapi Aba’s Women Farmers Empowerment Program is actively transforming the lives of women farmers in the northern, rural regions of Ghana. The program goes beyond providing financial assistance; and offers comprehensive support, including agronomy skills training, to enhance the capabilities of female farmers in rural areas. 

Amidst introductions and a spirited western cheer led by our Canadian counterparts, Zakaria, one of the program’s beneficiaries, shared her journey. She spoke passionately about the skills training she received, highlighting practices like conducting germination tests and adopting soil-preserving techniques. Notably, her husband’s involvement in the training transformed their dynamic, fostering collaborative decision-making in their family farming business.

Expressing gratitude for the support received, Zakaria emphasized how the program’s success enabled her to expand her operations. With the support offered by Sinapi Aba Savings & Loans, she was most recently able to farm more than four-acres.

The increased income, in turn, empowered her to send all her children to school, creating a ripple effect of positive change within her family. Sinapi Aba Savings & Loans had played a pivotal role in making Zakaria’s small farming operation not only sustainable but also a vehicle for her families well-being.

Walking with Zakaria to her field, we witnessed firsthand how she applied her newfound farming knowledge. Amidst the dusty landscape, a dozen beautiful children followed closely, a testament to the community’s interconnected spirit. As we bid farewell, the children echoed Calgarian cheers, leaving us with hearts full of inspiration.

The two-hour journey back to Tamale became a reflective ride, with our minds resonating with the transformative impact witnessed. Zakaria Bintu’s story exemplifies the profound change that can emerge when empowerment, education, and community support converge. 

By addressing the multifaceted challenges women farmers face in rural agriculture, the program is instrumental in creating a sustainable and inclusive path towards alleviating poverty.

In the vast northern expanse of Ghana, a small farming operation has become a catalyst for positive change, echoing the resilience and spirit of those who, against the odds, are sowing seeds of progress for generations to come.