The ‘Gold In The Soil Award’ (GISA) by the Agrihouse Foundation has been slated to happen in June this year.

This was revealed at the Press Launch of the 4^th Women in Food and Agric leadership Training Forum and the Gold in the Soil Awards, held today, at the Office of the Western Regional Minister, in the Western Region.

Mr. Patrick Akowuah, Western Regional Director of Agriculture, speaking at the press launch of the awards, said women continue to be critical in the agriculture value chain and must therefore be given the needed support.

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“Women, both the abled and physically challenged, are found in the processing, transporting, and sales of most agricultural products and can manage and curb excessive post-harvest losses.”
Mr. Patrick Akowuah

The event is designed to have a rotational venue from Region to Region annually, unearthing heroic women in each Region and ultimately supporting the building of solid and organic data of women who are passionately working to improve nutrition and make lives better by putting food on the table.

Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa Sarpong, noted that this year’s Gold in the Soil Awards has, for the 1^st time in four years, received over 17 entries from women with disabilities, primarily from the Western and Western North Regions of Ghana.

“In total, 82 entries have been received for the 16 categories, under the Gold in the Soil Awards, which is slated to hold on the 23^rd and 24^th of June, 2022 at the Akroma Plaza Hotel, in Takoradi.”
Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa Sarpong

Alberta opined this is very positive and represents the organization’s efforts over the past three years to encourage and push for an all-inclusive approach and to build and inspire more women farmers with disabilities to come out and be at the frontline in building community agriculture.

Women supporting women is ideal

The award would appreciate dedicated service in the agriculture sector by women who break barriers in commercial or small-scale farming, export, and provide livelihood support for other vulnerable women in their communities, says Alberta.

Mr. Samuel Tutu, who represented the Western Regional Minister at the Launch, was happy and said that such a move would enhance, recognize and support women’s contributions to the agricultural sector.

“I am happy that women support their fellow women in this direction”.
Mr. Tutu

Ms. Maribel Okine, the Western Regional Director of the Department of Gender, also noted how such economic empowerment plan would help to promote gender parity as well as alleviate poverty among women in particular.

Gold in the soil award categories

The award categories are: Passion for the Farm Awards, She-innovates Award, The Super Woman Award, Climate-Smart Women Project Award, Woman in Extension Services Award, Star in Ag Award, Royal Agro Award, Diamond in the rough award, Feed to Food Award, The Change Champion Award, Lady of the Region Export Award, Development Partner Award, Princess Carla Award, Gold in the Soil Award, Agro Legend Award.

The spotlight is focused on the nominated women’s farms and businesses and tells their story through a documentary series that dwells on passion, drive, excitement, challenges, and short and long-term vision, in a way designed to inspire and mentor viewers.