The Greater Opportunities for Women 2 (GROW2) project, facilitated by MEDA in collaboration with the Centre for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies (CECOTAPS), has successfully brokered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs and the Regional Department of Gender.

This agreement aims to ensure predictable and uninterrupted access to fertile land for women farmers in the Savannah Region.

The GROW2 project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), is a five-year initiative designed to support 40,000 smallholder women farmers, 5,000 entrepreneurs, and 50 agribusinesses in the soybean, groundnut, and vegetable value chains, among others.

This MoU marks a significant step towards enhancing secured land access for women in the region.

The event, which brought together chiefs, queen mothers, landowners, and representatives from government and non-governmental agencies, is a crucial milestone in empowering women farmers by providing them with the land security necessary for sustainable agricultural practices.

“The MoU, when implemented, will significantly reduce the barriers women face in accessing fertile land in the project area," said Francis Assuman, MEDA's GROW2 project manager. "Women farmers have historically faced challenges due to traditional practices that limit their ability to own land. Therefore, this MoU represents a significant paradigm shift for these farmers.”

Mr Assuman highlighted that the GROW2 project is being implemented in the Savannah, Northern, and Upper West Regions, focusing on groundnut and soybean production.

“Within two years of actual implementation, the project has reached 52,612 women smallholder farmers across 27 districts, providing access to finance, technologies, services including output markets, capacity building, GESI, and nutrition interventions," he stated.

“Additionally, a total of 60 agribusinesses, 55% of them women-owned, and over 12 agricultural technology service providers have been enrolled in the project.”

Mr Assuman further explained that a baseline survey conducted by the project identified the challenges faced by women farmers.

“The survey indicated that women typically have short-term access to land, which hinders their commitment and investment. The next phase of the programme will involve community-level discussions with elders and landowners to secure sustained land access for women.”

Nervous Daguah, a senior programmes officer at CECOTAPS, emphasized the historical role of women in agriculture and the barriers they face.

“Women have played a crucial role in agriculture throughout history, often as the backbone of farming households, yet their access to land has been limited by socio-cultural and economic barriers. This MoU represents our shared dedication to removing these obstacles and ensuring women have access to the tools and opportunities they need to prosper.”

The Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, Abutu Kapori, endorsed the MoU and appealed to landowners to cooperate in addressing the challenges. Bushira Alhassan, the Northern Regional Director of the Department of Gender, described the programme as a solution to the struggles women face in agriculture.

“When women are empowered, it benefits the entire household and society at large,” she added.

Female farmer Wusa Catherine shared her excitement about the MoU.

“Previously, obtaining even an acre of land was tough, but with MEDA's intervention, I've cultivated groundnuts on a five-acre land. Now, the chiefs and landowners are helping us, and we are happy,” she said.

For Catherine and many other female farmers, the MoU is a crucial step towards addressing land access issues and empowering women in agriculture.