Agbledomi (VR), Nov 7, GNA- The Agbledomi Women Farmers and Traders Association (AWFTA) has officially been inaugurated at Dzita-Agbledomi, Anloga District of the Volta Region, with a call on stakeholders to support women in agriculture and agribusiness towards food security in the area.
The event on the theme: “Empowering Women through Cooperative Farming and Agribusiness” was chaired by Mrs. Patience Effua Dogbey, Headmistress of Volta Senior High School, and attracted hundreds of women farmers, traders, and dignitaries from across the district.
Mr Timothy Dotsey, Founder and Patron of AWFTA, in his keynote address, explained the Association was formed to advance women’s economic empowerment through cooperative farming, agribusiness, and trading initiatives.
He noted that AWFTA currently has 265 registered members, with 150 in good standing, and aims to become a model of women-led community development in the district.
“Agbledomi is a major food hub for both Anloga and Keta Districts but our farmers continue to face serious challenges, from lack of access to credit and poor road networks to the blockage of the estuary that restricts access to the Ada Market,” he said.
Mr Dotsey appealed to the Anloga District Agricultural Office, financial institutions, and benevolent organisations to collaborate with the Association to overcome these obstacles, stressing that “empowering rural women means empowering entire communities.”
Mr Franklin Kwaku Agbove, District Director of Agriculture, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), commended AWFTA for the initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction and in line with the government’s Feed Ghana Policy.
“We will continue to provide technical support, training, and access to farm inputs and markets to help you thrive in the next farming season,” he assured.
Mr Dzamboe Obed, Deputy Director at the District Assembly, conveyed the District Chief Executive’s goodwill message and pledged the Assembly’s collaboration with AWFTA to promote women-led local development.
He called on the association members to embrace the idea and utilise it to make farming attractive not only to their families but to the entire region and the younger generation.
“We encourage you to remain united, focused, and dedicated to your goals,” he said.
The programme had other stakeholders in the Agriculture industry present, including Madam Joyce Kpormego, from the Anlo Progressive Cooperative Credit Union, Mr Jasper Agbanator, Assembly Member for Agbledomi, Mr Godwin Senam Agboworkunu, Head of Credit at the Anlo Rural Bank, who spoke on the importance of financial literacy and commended the Association for partnering with a reputable financial institution to manage its funds transparently.
The bank also made a financial contribution to support the event’s organisation.
Mrs Dogbey, in her closing remarks, commended the women for their unity and determination and urged them to uphold the rules governing the Association.
She also expressed appreciation to Mr Dotsey for his continued efforts towards development in the Agbledomi Electoral Area.
Some participants expressed satisfaction with the formation of the Association, noting that it had rekindled their commitment to farming and improved their financial well-being.
They, however, appealed to the government to show greater commitment by improving road networks leading to their farms and establishing a storage facility to help reduce post-harvest losses.
“We are more united and motivated now than ever before,” one member said. “But we need better roads and a warehouse to protect our hard-earned produce.”
The community contributes significantly to the local economy through the cultivation of vegetables, food crops, and fish farming, among other agricultural activities.
Source: GNA
