Upper East Region marks IWD with calls for gender equity and agricultural empowerment

The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has announced plans by Ghana’s government to establish a Women’s Development Bank and enforce the Affirmative Action Act to advance gender equality, as the region marked International Women’s Day with a focus on empowering women in agriculture and livestock production.

Speaking at an event organized by the Women Poultry and Livestock Association (WOPOLA) in Bolgatanga on Saturday, Hon. Akamugri underscored the government’s commitment to dismantling systemic barriers facing women, including economic disparities and limited access to education.

The theme of this year’s celebration, “For All Women and Girls’ Rights to Equality and Empowerment,” resonated through calls for collaborative action to support women-led initiatives.

“Our reset agenda includes a Women’s Development Bank to provide low-interest loans and tailored financial services for women-owned businesses,” Hon. Akamugri declared.

He also pledged full implementation of the Affirmative Action Act (2024) to ensure gender equity across political, economic, and social sectors, while urging stakeholders to combat harmful norms like child marriage and gender-based violence.

The event highlighted WOPOLA’s ambitious 2025 agenda, outlined by its president, who emphasized expanding women’s participation in poultry, livestock, and agro-processing.

Key plans include inaugurating regional branches, securing land for training centers, and procuring a 2,200-capacity incubator to boost guinea fowl and poultry production.

“We advocate for women, girls, and persons with disabilities to have equal rights to rear livestock and engage in crop farming,” the WOPOLA president, Theresa Benedicta Alegmiah, stated.

The association, which recently established its office within the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, thanked the Savannah Investment Programme (SIP) for funding the event and appealed for continued support to scale training workshops and agricultural projects.

Hon. Akamugri commended WOPOLA’s alignment with national goals, citing the government’s “poultry farm-to-table” project to reduce imports and enhance local production. He also recognized civil society organizations and women advocates for their role in driving progress.

The ceremony concluded with tributes to development partners, including SIP and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, for their logistical support.

WOPOLA expressed hopes to expand future International Women’s Day celebrations across all five northern regions, signaling a broader push for inclusivity in Ghana’s agricultural sector.