Fairtrade Africa trains women on gender mainstreaming in Ahafo Region

Fairtrade Africa, under the Cocoa Hubs Project, has launched a capacity-building initiative in the Ahafo Region to enhance the roles of women in cocoa farming and governance. The training, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, focuses on gender mainstreaming to address historical inequalities within rural agricultural service delivery. By targeting female representatives from Rural Service Centers (RSCs), the project seeks to transform these institutions into inclusive hubs that fully integrate women into the cocoa value chain.

During the training sessions, participants identified and discussed the specific systemic barriers that hinder women's participation in decision-making and leadership roles. Project Coordinator Salma Suhuyini Fuseini emphasized that the primary objective is to evolve RSCs into sustainable and inclusive service providers. Fuseini noted that empowering women is a strategic necessity for driving economic growth, as rural institutions become more effective when they reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. The curriculum encouraged attendees to develop practical strategies for strengthening their influence in local governance and organizational management.

Beneficiaries of the program have expressed optimism about the training, describing it as a vital step toward correcting gender disparities in the agricultural sector. Participants highlighted that when women are provided with equal access to training and leadership opportunities, farm productivity typically increases and household livelihoods improve. Moving forward, the Cocoa Hubs Project intends to maintain its focus on inclusive agriculture, ensuring that rural women remain central to the development and sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.