The Institute for Development Research at the University for Development Studies (UDS) has called for stronger gender inclusion in Ghana’s agricultural policymaking, following findings from a recent assessment of the government’s flagship “Feed Ghana” programme. The research highlights persistent structural barriers affecting women’s participation in agriculture and urges policymakers to redesign interventions that better reflect women’s central role in food production systems across rural and urban communities.
Speaking on the findings, Prof. Abazaami Joseph, Director of the Institute for Development Research at UDS, emphasised that women remain the backbone of agricultural production in Ghana but are often insufficiently represented in policy frameworks. He noted that the research team examined how gender considerations were embedded in the Feed Ghana programme and identified critical gaps in land access, financial inclusion, and institutional support systems for women farmers.
According to him, women’s contribution to agriculture cannot be overlooked, especially given their dominance in food production and distribution systems. However, he observed that policy interventions often fail to fully account for unpaid care responsibilities and the structural limitations that restrict women’s ability to access productive resources.
“The Feed Ghana programme which is the main agriculture programme of the government programme. We looked at the extent to which the policy is with respect to women. Women face challenges in the agriculture and they are significant actors because they dominate by far in the rural and urban centres of agriculture.”
Prof. Abazaami Joseph, Director of the Institute for Development Research at UDS
The research further revealed that land ownership remains one of the most significant barriers to women’s participation in large-scale agricultural initiatives. In many communities, access to land is still controlled by traditional authorities, creating challenges for women who lack secure tenure. The study recommends stronger collaboration between government and traditional leaders to improve land reform systems that guarantee equitable access for women farmers.
Financial inclusion was also identified as a key concern. While the Feed Ghana programme includes several financing mechanisms for farmers, the study found that these structures often do not adequately signal the unique constraints faced by women. These include limited collateral, reduced access to formal banking systems, and competing household responsibilities that affect repayment capacity and participation in structured agricultural financing.
Beyond these structural issues, the research also assessed the policy’s gender responsiveness. It concluded that while the programme has moved beyond being gender-blind, it still requires significant transformation to become fully gender-responsive and ultimately gender-transformative. This shift, according to the researchers, is essential for achieving long-term agricultural productivity and equity in Ghana’s food systems.
A key recommendation from the study is the need for targeted innovation in agricultural service delivery, particularly through farmer service centres that are more accessible and responsive to women’s needs. It also calls for improved data systems that capture the realities of unpaid care work, which often limits women’s participation in formal agricultural activities.
Prof. Abazaami further noted that stakeholder engagement remains crucial in driving policy reform. He explained that the research was shared with women farmers and regional agricultural officers to foster dialogue on practical advocacy strategies that could influence government decision-making.
Call for Gender-Transformative Reforms in Feed Ghana Programme
The discussion around the Feed Ghana programme has increasingly shifted toward the need for structural transformation rather than incremental adjustments. Researchers argue that without embedding gender-transformative approaches into agricultural policy, Ghana risks perpetuating inequalities that undermine productivity and rural development outcomes.
Prof. Abazaami reiterated that meaningful progress requires a change in how policymakers conceptualise women’s roles in agriculture. He stressed that women should not only be seen as beneficiaries of agricultural policy but as central actors in its design and implementation. This perspective, he argued, is critical for ensuring that programmes achieve sustainable impact.
He also highlighted the importance of rethinking institutional arrangements that shape access to agricultural resources. Traditional land governance systems, while culturally significant, must evolve in ways that support equitable access for all farmers, particularly women who remain disadvantaged under current structures.
The study’s recommendations extend to strengthening financial systems within the agricultural sector. It calls for the development of tailored financial products that respond to women’s specific circumstances, including flexible repayment structures and low-collateral loan schemes. These innovations, according to the researchers, would help bridge the gap between policy intent and practical accessibility.
In addition, the research emphasises the need for improved coordination between government agencies, civil society organisations, and traditional authorities. Such collaboration, it argues, is essential for addressing systemic barriers and ensuring that gender considerations are integrated across all levels of agricultural planning and implementation.
The workshop where the findings were presented brought together women farmers, regional agricultural officers, and policy stakeholders. Participants discussed practical pathways for advocacy, with a focus on ensuring that government commitments translate into measurable outcomes for women in agriculture.
Prof. Abazaami concluded that the ultimate goal is to move beyond awareness of gender issues toward transformative action. By embedding gender equity into the core of agricultural policy, he believes Ghana can strengthen food security, improve livelihoods, and create a more inclusive agricultural economy that benefits all citizens.
