The Agrihouse Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focusing on agriculture in Ghana, has institutionalise the Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings Legacy Honours, presented in 2024, to honour outstanding women leaders.
It will, therefore, begin with the recognition of three outstanding women on March 12, 2025, one from Ghana and two from other African countries. The Foundation, she said, aimed at sustaining the programme annually to honour women who are making generational changes.
Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director, Agrihouse Foundation, made the announcement at the launch of the seventh edition of the Gathering of the Royals (GOTR), and the Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings Legacy Honours, introduced by the Agrihouse Foundation in Accra.
The award seeks to recognise women making impact in the society in all aspects of life. The GOTR evolved from the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards due to the positive feedback. This year’s theme is: “Seed for Change – Honouring Leadership, Inspiring Hope, and Strengthening Women to Innovatively Enhance Our Agri-Food Future.”
Ms Akosa said the Award would also champion and advance the causes and principles of Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings and all she ‘’stood for”. “By this, we hope to instill in the growing young females and inspire them to be committed to making personal, community, regional, national and global impact as women,” she said.
Nominations would be opened for women, 31 years old and above, signifying the age Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings passionately commenced pushing for the advancement of women. The nominees must be leaders who had inspired countless women in their home country and across the globe.
They must possess a strength of character and great love for education, art and culture and must be at the forefront of empowering women, giving hope as well as creating jobs and opportunities.
The name ‘Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings’ was symbolic, representing women who fight till the end, Ms Akosa said, and encouraged women to make generational impacts and not just short-term changes.
Mr John Osei Frimpong, Former Member of Parliament for Abirem and Chairman, Agriculture Committee in Parliament, said although women remained the backbone of agriculture, many continued to face barriers that hindered their full participation in the industry.
He said women must be equipped with the knowledge, access and support systems that allowed them to lead confidently and innovate without limitations. Mr Osei Frimpong acknowledged that queen mothers held the key to growth of sustainable farming in their communities.
Mr Eric Hudson Asamani, Greater Accra Regional Agriculture Director, noted that agriculture was a powerful driver of economic growth, food security, and employment, hence the Department was working diligently to create an enabling environment for farmers to succeed.
He said the theme was a reminder that agriculture was about production, leadership, innovation and inclusive growth that empowered individuals, especially women, to build stronger and more sustainable food systems.
“This commitment extends to the promotion of modern farming techniques, climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, and agribusiness empowerment,” Mr Asamani stated. He expressed assurance of the Department’s unwavering commitment to advancing the agricultural sector.
Source: GNA
