Africa-Press – Ghana. The Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana), a non-governmental organisation, has held a training workshop aimed at strengthening the advocacy capacity of women groups to enhance their participation in agriculture and other economic activities.
The Leadership and Agricultural Policy Advocacy Training is part of a project titled “Strengthening Women’s Voice and Leadership in Agricultural Policy and Economic Justice in Northern Ghana”, funded by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).
The training equipped participants with skills to engage duty-bearers on issues affecting their livelihoods, increase their visibility in decision-making spaces, and influence policies in agriculture and agribusiness.
Topics covered included leadership styles, qualities of effective leaders, advocacy strategies, women’s empowerment, and economic justice.
Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, said the training formed part of broader efforts to empower women to advocate for their rights and overcome systemic challenges in the agricultural sector. She noted that developing advocacy skills was essential for promoting equitable access to resources and advancing the economic empowerment of rural women.
She encouraged participants to use the training to influence policies that build resilience and promote inclusive development.
Mr Baako Abdulai Mumuni, a retired agricultural officer and facilitator, highlighted the importance of visionary, honest, and service-oriented leadership. He urged participants to create inclusive environments within their groups, regardless of religion, gender, ethnicity, or ability.
He also advised them to develop realistic budgets and proposals to support advocacy initiatives and attract funding for community-based projects. He encouraged group formation to access government interventions like the Feed Ghana programme.
Dr Gloria Boakyewaa Adu, Managing Director of Eagle Pack Innovation Limited and a participant, described the training as timely and empowering.
“My organisation supports women and youth farmers in the Tolon District. This training has equipped me with tools for effective advocacy,” she said, adding that she had learned that advocacy requires time, patience, realistic goal-setting, and persistence.
Participants expressed appreciation to SWIDA-Ghana and its partners for the training and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to drive inclusive development in their communities.
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