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7th National Women’s Summit & Expo: Paving the way for women in Agribusiness
The 7th National Women’s Summit & Expo launched its highly anticipated maiden edition of the Industry Spotlight Series on February 21, 2025.
This year’s spotlight focused on the transformative role women play in the agribusiness sector; a timely and critical conversation as global challenges surrounding food security, economic growth, and sustainable development become more pressing.
Held at the Kosmos Innovation Center – a renowned agribusiness enabler, the Industry Spotlight Series set the stage for a powerful bevy of women agripreneurs, investors, and industry stakeholders, all gathered with one goal in mind: to shape the future of agribusiness in Ghana and beyond.
In her opening speech, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Charterhouse and convener of the event, articulated the importance of such platforms.
“This mixer is meant to set the stage for meaningful solutions and transformative action,” she said.
She added,“It is more than just a networking opportunity—it is a call to action. Today, we engage in conversations that will provide insights into the barriers in women-led agribusiness ventures as well as networking for future collaboration and scaling up.”
Her words resonated deeply with the audience as she encouraged women to make their voices heard and to seize opportunities for growth.
“When women grow, industries thrive; and when industries thrive, economies flourish.I encourage each of you to connect with purpose, forge meaningful partnerships, and take bold steps toward growth,”Theresa emphasized.
The evening’s fireside panel discussion, moderated by Joyce Sackitey-Ahiadorme, dug deeper into the realities and opportunities of the agribusiness sector. Panelists Esther Kyerewaa Twumasi, CEO of the Chamber of Women in Agribusiness (CHAWA), and Hannah Appiah, Founder and CEO of McHan Cosmetics Ltd, shared candid insights from their own journeys.
They discussed the unique challenges facing women in agribusiness, from access to funding to navigating a male-dominated industry.
While challenges abound, the discussion was also brimming with opportunities. Panelists emphasized how innovative business strategies, collaboration, and resilience could catalyze growth for women in this vital sector.
The keynote speaker, Sandra Asantewaa Boafo Agyiri, CEO of Nana Papa Company and member of the Chamber of Agribusiness, spotlighted the critical role of technology in transforming agribusiness for women. “Technology is now central to the future of agribusiness,” Agyiri explained.
“Women must be part of this paradigm shift—embracing smart farming technologies, automating agro-processing plants, and ensuring that our local products meet international standards.” She called for more women to take the lead in precision agriculture and automation, ensuring efficiency and global competitiveness for locally produced goods.
The programs Manager at Kosmos Innovations Center, Terance Tienaah, one of the sponsors of the event, made a clarion call to women in Agribusiness. ‘’I want to leave you with a call to action. Let us all—as individuals, organizations, and policymakers-commit to creating an environment where women in agribusiness can thrive. This means: Investing in women-led enterprises; Breaking down barriers to resources and markets; Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in the sector ‘’
‘’Together, we can unlock the full potential of women in agribusiness, driving sustainable growth and prosperity for all. Let us use this event as a catalyst for change, a space to exchange ideas, build connections, and inspire action. To all the women here today: your contributions matter. Your resilience inspires. And your success will shape the future of agribusiness,” he said.
The event saw a remarkable turnout, with key stakeholders from across the agribusiness industry attending, including Kosmos Innovation Center, GhanaThink Foundation, Ehllali Foods, Tillys Farms, and the Chamber of Women in Agribusiness Ghana (CAG), among many others.
This inaugural edition of the Industry Spotlight Series has successfully ignited a powerful conversation and actionable momentum to elevate women’s voices in agribusiness. As the event wrapped up, it was clear: women are not just participants in the agribusiness sector—they are its future leaders.
The National Women’s Summit & Expo 2025 is more than just an event; it’s a movement. It’s a call to action for women, girls, and allies to come together and push for lasting change.
The Industry Spotlight Series on Women in Agribusiness is a Charterhouse production, brought to you by Geisha in partnership with Kosmos Innovation Center.
A former Sec ond Lady, Mrs Matilda Amis sah-Arthur, has called for urgent action to bridge literacy gaps among young girls in the country to advance gender equality.
She stressed that improving lit eracy among girls was essential not only for women’s empowerment but also for national development.
“Addressing the literacy gap is not a woman’s issue. It is a nation al necessity and, with the passing of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024, Ghana is signalling that women belong in leadership, but leadership begins with a book,” she said.
Mrs Amissah-Arthur made the call at an event organised by the Ghana Library Authority (GLA) in Accra yesterday to mark Interna tional Women’s Day (IWD) on the theme: “Her Voice in Libraries: Women Transforming Literacy in Ghana.”
According to her, many girls in Ghana still drop out of school due to poverty, lack of mentorship and limited support systems, warning that without deliberate interven tions some risk becoming part of worrying national statistics.
The former Second Lady encouraged students, particularly girls, to see education not only as a tool for personal advancement but also as a means of empowering future generations.
“Don’t shy away from STEM and ICT subjects. Break into the male-dominated areas and bridge the digital divide,” she added.
Mrs Amissah-Arthur also called for stronger partnerships between men and women in advancing gen der equality, stressing that the issue should be viewed as a national development priority rather than solely a women’s concern.
“Gender equality is not a woman’s issue. It is a development issue. It requires partnership, respect and shared responsibility,” she said.
She further expressed opti mism that with the right support systems, every child, regardless of gender, could achieve their full potential.
In a remark, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Lydia Essuah, said that despite progress made in promoting gender equality in the education sector, challenges remained in ensuring progression, completion and quality learning outcomes for all learners.
She highlighted the important role of libraries in advancing liter acy and lifelong learning skills, and called for increased investment in library infrastructure and services to help build a knowledge-driven society.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Alhassan Ziblim Bentintiche, also under scored the importance of libraries in empowering young people, par ticularly girls, with access to books, digital resources and mentorship opportunities.
He disclosed plans to expand Ghana’s library infrastructure and services to particularly attract the youth and promote literacy.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
Management of the Metro Mass Transit Limited has accused the government of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of pursuing what it describes as a “create, loot and share” agenda in the sale of portions of the Opera Square Bus Terminal to a private developer.
The Deputy Managing Director of the company, Haroun Apaw-Wiredu, raised the concerns while speaking to journalists at the Opera Square Bus Terminal in Accra on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
He indicated that the management of Metro Mass Transit would not tolerate any further unauthorized development at the terminal and would take steps to protect the property.
According to him, it would be wrong for a private developer to take control of state property for personal economic gain while the company and the public remain silent.
“How can we sit down and allow a private developer, just for his selfish economic gains, to capture state property for himself? No, we cannot sit down,” he stressed.
Mr Apaw Wiredu called on the public to resist what he described as attempts to take over state assets, adding that such actions would disadvantage ordinary citizens.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we must all stand up. We must all wake up. We must fight this level of brazen looting and attempts to milk the system at the expense of ordinary Ghanaians,” he indicated.
He explained that some individuals had been operating around the terminal for many years and alleged that the developer gained access to the land during the previous administration.
Mr Apaw Wiredu stressed that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the company would pursue all legitimate means to protect the terminal from what he described as unlawful takeover.
He added that management would use every legal avenue available to defend the property and prevent any attempt to take control of the land without proper authorization.
By: Jacob Aggrey
