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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.
About 200 company secretaries, governance professionals and institutional leaders will gather in Accra for the ‘Company Secretaries Summit’ next month.
It is aimed at strengthening governance practices and enhance boardroom effectiveness across the country.
The summit, which is scheduled for July 16 at the Labadi Beach Hotel seeks to equip governance professionals with the knowledge, skills, and networks required to navigate the increasingly complex demands of modern corporate leadership.
It will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focusing on emerging governance trends, boardroom dynamics, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, and stakeholder expectations.
According to the convener, Catherine Engmann, the summit comes at a critical time when governance professionals are under growing pressure to support sound decision-making, strengthen governance culture, and respond effectively to changing institutional and regulatory environments.
“This gathering is not just another conference. It is a platform for governance leaders who are already operating at the highest level and intend to stay there,” she said.
She noted that the programme was designed to provide participants with practical tools, fresh insights, and valuable professional connections.
According to Ms Engmann, a major highlight of the event will be the awards ceremony, which will recognise individuals and organisations that have demonstrated excellence in governance practice and made significant contributions to improving board effectiveness and corporate accountability.
She mentioned that the summit will also offer participants an opportunity to benchmark their practices against industry standards, exchange ideas with peers, and explore innovative approaches to governance challenges.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event is expected to foster networking and collaboration among governance professionals, helping to strengthen governance practices across Ghana’s corporate and institutional landscape.
Speaking about the vision behind the initiative, Ms Engmann, said the summit was inspired by the need to create a dedicated platform that recognises the critical role played by company secretaries and governance professionals.
According to her, the Company Secretaries’ Summit and Awards reflects her conviction that Ghana’s governance professionals deserve an annual platform where they can engage in meaningful discussions, build strategic relationships, and receive recognition for their contributions to effective governance.
Registration for the summit, she said was currently open, with interested professionals encouraged to secure their participation ahead of the event.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
-1 cup dried soya beans
-4–5 cups for water (for blending)
-Extra water for soaking
-Sugar, honey or dates (optional, for sweetness)
-Vanilla extract (optional)
Preparation
-Pick through the beans to remove stones or damaged seeds and rinse thoroughly
-Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Soak for at least eight hours or overnight to soften it to blend easier
– After soaking, rub the beans with your hands as the skin begins to remove
– Removing the skins helps reduce the ‘beany’ taste and improves texture
– Put the soaked beans into a blender with 4–5 cups of clean water
-Blend until smooth and milky. (You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size).
– Using a clean muslin cloth or fine sieve, strain the blended mixture into a pot. (Squeeze well to extract as much liquid as possible).
-The leftover pulp is called okara. Don’t throw it away — it can be used in baking, porridge, or even added to stews.
– Place the strained milk on medium heat and make it boil. Stir continuously to prevent burning or overflowing.
– Allow it to boil for at least 20–25 minutes. Proper boiling removes the raw taste and neutralises natural compounds that can upset the stomach.
-Once boiled a little sugar or honey. Pulse.gh
Health benefits of Soya beans
