Tamale: ActionAid Ghana, an NGO, has called for an increased investment in smallholder women farmers to strengthen food security, improve household livelihoods, and build resilient local economies. The organisation made the call during a community dialogue held at Kakpayili, a farming community in the Tamale Metropolis, to commemorate the 2026 International Women's Day (IWD).
According to Ghana News Agency, the event, held in collaboration with the leadership of the smallholder women farmers movement, brought together traditional leaders, government representatives, civil society organisations, women farmers, and members of the media. The gathering aimed to discuss challenges confronting women farmers and advocate for policy reforms to address them. The celebration was themed 'Give to Gain - Investing in Safety, Dignity, and Justice for Women and Girls'.
Madam Alia Mumuni, Programme Officer at ActionAid Ghana, highlighted the critical role women play in sustaining Ghana's food systems, improving household nutrition, and strengthening local economies. However, she noted that many smallholder women farmers continue to face challenges, including limited access to productive resources, weak agricultural support systems, and increasing pressure on farmland due to urbanisation.
She explained that climate change and urban expansion are gradually impacting traditional livelihood systems, forcing many women farmers to seek alternative income sources. 'In a world that increasingly recognises the contributions of women in sustaining food systems and building resilient local economies, we are also confronted with the realities of urbanisation, climate change and weak political will in implementing sustainable agricultural policies,' she stated.
Madam Mumuni emphasised that the 'Give to Gain' theme underscores the importance of investing in women farmers to promote food security and improve community wellbeing. She affirmed that ActionAid Ghana would continue to advocate for policies and agricultural programmes that meet the real needs of smallholder women farmers, including those in urban areas.
Additionally, Madam Mumuni mentioned that the organisation would collaborate with the Ministry and Department of Agriculture to provide capacity-building support for women farmers in agro-processing, packaging, and market access. She also urged government institutions to prioritise gender-sensitive planning and budgeting for climate change adaptation and urban agriculture programmes.
Madam Jafaru Nagihatu, Secretary to the Smallholder Women Farmers' Movement, reiterated the challenges faced by smallholder women farmers, such as limited access to productive resources, loss of farmland due to urbanisation, weak agricultural support systems, and heavy unpaid care responsibilities. She explained that these challenges affect women's incomes, family wellbeing, food security, and participation in decision-making processes. The dialogue, she noted, was critical in advocating for improved agricultural services that cater to the needs of women farmers and create opportunities for them to influence local planning and decision-making.
Mr Francis Koo, Tamale Metropolitan Director of Agriculture, commended women farmers for their resilience and contributions to food production. He stated that women play an important role across the agricultural value chain, from land preparation and planting to harvesting, processing, and marketing. 'When women farmers succeed, communities prosper. Food security improves, household incomes increase, and the future of our children becomes more secure,' he added.