Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Korle-Klottey Constituency, has commenced the National Agricultural Capacity and Business Set-up Roadshow to empower young women and persons with disability in agribusiness.
She stated that the project is purposed to reduce the financial burden on selected participants on the project when they venture into agribusiness.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, while speaking at the screening and shortlisting of beneficiaries for the Roadshow, said the project aims to provide the beneficiaries with the requisite skills and materials to ensure they succeed at their businesses.
This, she stated, is one of the ways to enhance gender mainstreaming and provide equal opportunities for women.
“We are trying not to eliminate women if they are capable of succeeding. The elimination process is not meant to weed out the women but to discover which of them has the capacity, commitment and interest in the activities we are embarking on.”
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings
According to Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, partners involved with the project do not just want to throw money at the participants, when these people could be trained and supported with the right logistics needed to operate their businesses.
“As a female Member of Parliament, I think this is the platform to open my door for as many women who are willing to participate not just in this but in other projects as possible.”
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings
Priorities of Project aligned to make impact
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stated that the programme was launched with the intention of proceeding to pilot the project in the Korle-Klottey Constituency. This, she disclosed, would be the gateway for other engagements within the Greater Accra Region.
Also, the MP for the Korle-Klottey constituency disclosed that the online registration for the project received over 700 applicants.
She disclosed that the total number of applicants has been narrowed down to 400, who are now going through the various stages of screening.
Additionally, she stated that the screening was to make sure that those who are shortlisted actually understood what it takes to fulfil the criteria for the project to ensure its success.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings urged stakeholders to provide the needed conducive environment for more participation of women in agribusiness.
Madam Alberta Akyaa Akosa, the Founder of Agrihouse Foundation and Co-Implementer of the programme, stated that the project focuses on training the applicants in Rabbit, Snail and Mushroom farming.
As disclosed by the Founder of Agrihouse, the priorities of the project are aligned to make impact by enhancing and changing livelihoods and also enhancing nutrition.
Madam Akosa said the high number of applications received indicate that the government, development partners, and policy makers really needed to take a practical look at the agriculture sector.
Also, Madam Akosa disclosed that the project is intended to implement a comprehensive monitoring system to help evaluate the progress of participants.
Madam Alberta expressed the believe that by the end of the screening, about 100 people would emerge successful after going through the training within the Greater Accra Region.
On his part, Mr Maclean Atsu Dzidzienyo, a Paralympic Athlete, who has been shortlisted, utilized the opportunity to commend the MP and her implementing partners for the initiative.
Mr. Dzidzienyo, stated that he is already into grass-cutter farming and that he intended to include rabbit rearing to help inspire other persons with disability.
He urged the Government to continue to provide the needed support for persons living with disability who aspire to engage in any form of farming activities.
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