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GEXIM CEO calls for accelerated empowerment of women in Agribusiness for Africa’s economic growth
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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.
In other jurisdictions, the commencement of a new football season was one soccer fans would party about.
Having endured about a three-month period without action, fans become anxious about what the new season brings and how their respective teams would perform.
But that is not the case in Ghana, especially where the current Ghana Premier League (GPL) football season is expected to get underway today.
Unlike other places where fans would be fantasising and visualising about the new players and what they bring on board, Ghanaian fans have been occupied with discussions about the present state of infrastructure.
Obviously, the game thrives when stadia appear in good condition. When the pitches are in perfect shapes, it enhances play and brings out the best from the players.
Sadly, the state of the pitches in the country have left many questioning the preparedness for the season that also coincides with the start of AFCON qualifiers.
Currently, the pitch at the Accra Sports Stadium is closed for Premier League matches in readiness for the qualifiers.
Alternative ones like the University of Ghana Stadium is also not in the best of shape.
The Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi is also a concern despite hosting the Democracy Cup. As a result, teams to be affected in the southern and northern sectors would turn their attention to the Abramkese and UG stadia, a situation that would take a toll on the surfaces.
The situation, therefore, raises questions over the country’s direction regarding the provision of sports infrastructure.
Apart from the Borteyman Sports Complex, which was constructed for the Africa Games, none of the facilities scattered across the country can be said to be in good shape to host local games; not to talk about high profile competitions.
This should be a wakeup call on the government to start initiating processes to ensure modern infrastructure were erected to put Ghana in a good position to host games without the unwarranted scrutiny of CAF.
This would come at a huge cost to the taxpayer but when the business aspect of that expenditure in considered, it should be a worthy outlay.
But the infrastructure challenges notwithstanding, the competition will kick start at Tema where Vision FC engages Young Apostles FC.
The Hearts of Oak versus Berekum Chelsea clash will lead tomorrow’s games pack that also sees debutants Debibi United and Port City FC engaged in battles against Asante Kotoko and FC Ashantigold, respectively.
In other games, Basake Holy Stars will welcome Swedru All Blacks; FC Samartex against Karela United; Heart of Lions versus Aduana FC and Bechem United against Goldstars.
Dreams FC will face Medeama SC at the Tuba astro turf on Monday.
By Andrew Nortey
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The 2026 Idea Challenge Pitch and media launch was held last Saturday at the Pentecost University in Accra.
It brought together innovators, entrepreneurs and stakeholders to promote creative ideas and solutions aimed at addressing societal challenges.
The initiative, organised by the Visionary Organisation Development and Entrepreneurial Club (VODEC) and National Emerging Leaders Economic Forum (NELEF) provided a platform for participants to showcase their ideas and highlight how innovation and creativity could be transformed into practical solutions.
The programme also sought to encourage young people to develop ideas that could contribute to national development and create opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Held on the theme: ‘building Africa’s future, emerging leaders driving inclusive growth and regional transformation,’ the event sought to serve as a strategic platform to transition youth talent from mere concepts into investable enterprises.
During the pitch session, shortlisted entrepreneurs presented viable business ideas which spanned critical sectors, including climate-smart agribusiness, sustainable waste management, digital technology, and assistive tech for persons with disabilities.
A member of the judging panel, Mr Blessed Amonoo, an Investment Analyst at the Ghana Amalgamated Trust Plc., praised the technical depth of the presentations.
“We are looking for scalability, market readiness, and projects that directly answer local problems,“ Mr Amonoo noted during the evaluation.
“The level of innovation displayed here proves that African youth possesses the answers to the continent’s economic riddles, provided they receive the right structural refinement.”
Finalists selected from this rigorous process will be officially announced and paired with corporate mentors at the flagship forum in September.
Speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive of VODEC Africa, Mr. Daniel Asomani, urged African governments and financial institutions to systematically secure capital for youth-led startups.
Mr Asomani emphasised that Africa’s persistent brain drain can only be reversed if young minds find fertile ground to scale their enterprises locally.
“Our brilliant minds are leaving the shores of Africa not because they want to, but because the local ecosystem suffocates their dreams.”
“The Idea Challenge is our contribution to keeping this talent home but VODEC cannot do it alone. We need policy interventions, tax incentives for startups, and deliberate venture funding to turn these ideas into multi-million-dollarcorporations,” Mr Asomani stated.
By Desmond Aidoo
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