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GEXIM CEO calls for accelerated empowerment of women in Agribusiness for Africa’s economic growth
The Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM), Sylvester Mensah has urged African governments and all relevant stakeholders within the agricultural sector across the continent to prioritize empowering women within the agricultural value chain.
Mr. Mensah encouraged policy makers to focus on setting and establishing various policies and procedures that will create an enabling environment to accelerate capacity building for women within the agriculture sector to contribute effectively to the continent’s economic growth.
The accomplished finance professional made the call in commemoration of this year’s edition of the annual International Women’s Day celebrated around the world on March 8.
The 2025 edition is themed #AccelerateAction, to emphasize the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve full gender equality.
The World Bank Group (WBG) reported that agriculture contributes between thirty (30) to forty (40) percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in sub-Saharan Africa, and employs over two-thirds of the population, with farmers producing up to eighty percent (80%) of the continent’s food and raw materials.
Despite this critical importance, Africa’s agricultural production continues to fall behind compared to the rest of the world. Most farmers often grapple with unending challenges ranging from limited farm resources, limited access to finance, low productivity, limited market access, to environmental pressures.
According to Mr.Mensah, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) estimates Africa’s population to grow by over two billion by the year 2025, which makes it very important to boost agriculture and agribusiness immediately.
He highlighted the urgent need to support the industry, which is highly populated by women with the right tools, resources and knowledge.
‘’Women and youth make essential contributions to the agricultural and rural economies in all developing countries in Africa. Generally, women are the ones responsible for producing food; from planting and harvesting crops, tending livestock and other activities on the farm, including providing household income and providing care for family members. Although women play a crucial role in agriculture, their efforts are not given the recognition they deserve, usually underpaid and undervalued,”he enumerated.
Women face enormous obstacles due to several factors from the realization of their work due to the existing gender power relations, limited access to resources, technology, finance, and market. Therefore, failure to invest in women in agriculture and agro-processing can possibly contribute to food insecurity.
Hon Mensah advocated for the bridging of gaps in agriculture and agro-processing for women by creating equitable opportunities for women.
“To address gender inequalities in agriculture as well as access to financial services and funding, we might have to introduce initiatives for skill development, capacity building, peer-to-peer learning, policy advocacy, and financing solutions to help women thrive in the agribusiness ecosystem. In addition, there should be other bold steps in tackling other pressing issues facing women in agriculture including innovation, technology trends as well as market insights and information”, he emphasized.
In his conclusion, Hon. Mensah indicated that it is certainly an opportune time for women in agriculture to receive support from all relevant players to set the stage for unprecedented opportunities African women in agribusiness can leverage on.
“Additionally, there should be continued effort in championing women to drive economic activities in agribusiness”, he added.
He believes this is very important especially in Ghana towards the implementation of the Affirmative Act Law.
He pledged the commitment of GEXIM to investment for employment of women, prioritizing capacity building and funding for women to achieve their full potential.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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