The Agribusiness Students’ Association of Ghana, University of Cape Coast Chapter (ABSAG-UCC), launched the 2025 Miss Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Contest, aiming to empower women in the agricultural sector and promote agribusiness as a key driver of national development. The contest, themed “Seeds of Innovation: Empowering Women in Agribusiness,” seeks to recognize and celebrate female students who exhibit passion, innovation, and leadership within the agricultural sphere. It provides a platform to showcase sustainable agricultural practices, value addition strategies, and technological solutions for the sector. Ultimately, the contest envisions inspiring a new generation of female agripreneurs capable of transforming Ghana’s agricultural landscape and contributing significantly to economic growth.
The launch event, held at the UCC Sasakawa Conference Room, highlighted the disparity between women’s substantial contribution to agribusiness and the limited support they receive. Ms. Mabel Konadu Boahen, the Central Regional Officer for Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD), emphasized that despite constituting approximately 70% of Ghana’s agribusiness workforce, women’s efforts often go unacknowledged. She advocated for increased governmental support for women in agriculture, particularly within the “Feed Ghana Project,” to attract more women to the sector and alleviate national unemployment. Ms. Boahen’s call to action underscored the importance of recognizing and investing in women’s contributions to ensure the sustainability and growth of Ghana’s agribusiness sector.
The Miss Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Contest features seven promising agribusiness students from UCC who will compete over three months to earn the title of Miss Agribusiness 2025. The competition is structured to allow these young women to showcase their creativity and diverse skillsets by presenting innovative agribusiness ideas designed to address challenges within the sector. The winner will receive not only a cash prize but also invaluable mentorship from established entrepreneurs and strategic guidance to navigate the complexities of the agricultural value chain, ultimately fostering their success within the industry.
Ms. Martha Opoku, Deputy Head of the contest’s Organizing Committee, explained that the competition aims to empower women to become leaders in agribusiness by transforming their innovative ideas into sustainable and job-creating ventures. She appealed for support from both governmental and philanthropic organizations, emphasizing the need for financial backing to help young entrepreneurs with promising business concepts overcome the hurdle of limited resources. Ms. Opoku’s appeal highlights a prevalent challenge faced by many young Ghanaians – the possession of unique business ideas coupled with the lack of financial capital to bring those ideas to fruition. The call for support underscores the importance of partnerships and investments to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and drive economic growth.
The contestants expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to participate in the competition. Francisca Arthur Ameniko, a level 100 agribusiness student, spoke on behalf of the contestants, noting the value of the platform in providing visibility, a chance to present and defend their business concepts, and access to potential support from agribusiness investors. The contest also serves to address the gender gap in agribusiness ownership, with current figures indicating men own 56% of informal sector agribusinesses compared to women’s 44%. By promoting female participation and leadership, the contest seeks to close this gap and create a more equitable and inclusive agribusiness landscape.
The launch event was attended by prominent figures within the agricultural sector, including Mr. Daniel Kojo Nyame, Managing Director of Twifo Oil Palm Plantation, who chaired the ceremony; Mr. Perry Mensah, a Management and Tax Consultant; Ms. Victoria Abankwah, Director of Agric for KEEA Municipality; and Leticia Abena Paintsil, the 2024 winner of the contest. Their presence underscored the significance of the event and the growing recognition of the importance of empowering women in agribusiness. With the launch complete, the seven contestants will now embark on a journey of preparation, culminating in a competition that promises to be both exciting and impactful, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
