CUG NEWS MEDIA

Sunyani-Fiapre, July 24, 2024 — In a region where women have long been the backbone of agriculture, a significant step was taken towards enhancing their role in ensuring food security. Over 200 young female farmers gathered at Ideas Hotel, Sunyani-Fiapre, for a capacity-building workshop and farm input distribution program, organized by WAN Hive GHANA in collaboration with Kosmos Innovation Centre. Agriculture in the Bono region has traditionally been seen as a domain for the older generation and those with limited educational opportunities. However, recent trends show a growing interest among young women in various agricultural value chains, from production to marketing. The event, themed “Women’s Role in Ensuring Food Security,” aimed to harness this interest and equip these women with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed. A High-Profile Event The event was attended by notable figures, including Nana Kwadwo Donyina Kusi II, Fiapre Traditional Authority; Mad. Janet Issif...

In an inspiring move to harness the potential of cashew farming, the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene, has spearheaded a transformative training program aimed at empowering the youth and women of the region. The three-day training session, held from April 3rd to 5th at Sheilas Hotel in Fiapre, was organized in collaboration with GIZ-MOVE, a German technical cooperation focused on market-oriented value chains for jobs and growth within the ECOWAS region. The program, which brought together 150 participants from various districts within the region, was facilitated by experts from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture's Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) and Directorate of Crop Services (DCS). The training focused on equipping participants with knowledge on good agricultural practices, proper harvesting techniques for ripe cashew apples, and innovative ways to utilize cashew apples in local cuisine. Cashew, a major tree crop in the Bono Region, is often valu...

  Sunyani, Bono Region – 9th-10th July 2024 The Agrihouse Foundation, in collaboration with the Bono Regional Department of Agriculture, hosted the 6th annual Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Forum and Gold in the Soil Awards, a two-day event dedicated to celebrating and empowering women in agriculture. Held under the theme "Overcoming Barriers to Women Agribusiness Development: The Role of Stakeholders," the event brought together a diverse group of participants, including farmers, agro-processors, government representatives, development partners, and the media. The forum, funded by the esteemed Alberta Akosa, was graced by the presence of prominent figures such as Bono Regional Minister Justina Awo Banahene, Queen Mothers from across the region, and representatives from various farmer associations and schools. The event's objective was clear: to foster a collaborative environment for the exchange of ideas, the formation of impactful partnerships, and the em...

Sunyani, Bono Region – In a remarkable initiative aimed at empowering female farmers and promoting food security, over 200 young women participated in a capacity-building and farm input distribution program held on July 24, 2024, at Ideas Hotel, Sunyani-Fiapre. The event was organized by WAN Hive Ghana, a community of enterprising female entrepreneurs and innovators, in collaboration with Kosmos Innovation Centre. The program, titled “Women’s Role in Ensuring Food Security,” highlighted the crucial contributions of women in agriculture, particularly in the Bono region, where they dominate the value chain from input supply to support services. The Fiapre Traditional Authority, led by Nana Kwadwo Donyina Kusi II, was present to support the initiative, alongside other key stakeholders, including Assemblyman of Fiapre, Mad. Janet Issifu (CEO, WAN Hive Ghana), Mad. Felicia Asabea Boadu (Regional WIAD Officer, Department of Agriculture), Mad. Phillipa Mensah (Lead Social Protection, Wo...

Sunyani, the vibrant capital of the Bono Region, recently played host to a unique and transformative training session aimed at redefining the way local communities view one of their most abundant natural resources: the cashew apple. Held at Sheila’s Hotel in Fiapre from April 3rd to 5th, 2023, the training sought to turn what many see as mere farm waste into a valuable source of nutrition, income, and community pride. The initiative was the brainchild of the Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Justina Awo Banahene, whose vision was to empower the region’s women and youth by unlocking the untapped potential of the cashew apple. Backed by financial support from GIZ-MOVE, a German development organization focused on market-oriented value chains, the three-day event brought together 150 participants eager to learn, innovate, and change their fortunes. A Shift in Perspective For years, farmers in Sunyani and its surrounding districts have focused almost exclusively on the economic benefits of cash...

In a significant stride towards improving food security and empowering female youth in the Bono Region, the World Food Programme - MasterCard Foundation (WFP-MCF) Agribusiness for Youth Employment Project recently conducted comprehensive value addition training from April 22nd to 26th, 2024. The training, which focused on enhancing the quality and marketability of agricultural products, drew enthusiastic participation from various farming communities in the region. Facilitated by the Regional Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD) Officer, Felicia Asabea Boadu, and the Regional Extension Officer, Isaac Agyei Mensah, the training was strategically held in two key districts—Berekum West and Wenchi. The sessions were attended by a total of 79 female youth processors and representatives from Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) across five project districts. The initiative aimed to equip these young women with practical skills in raw material selection, modern processing techniques, and h...

  Fiapre, Sunyani – August 5, 2024 The 12th edition of the annual Professional Mediation Training (PMT) program organized by the Marian Conflict Resolution Centre (MCRC) commenced at the Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre, with 90 participants from diverse professional backgrounds in attendance. The event was held under the distinguished chairmanship of the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rev. Father Peter Nkrumah Amponsah. The opening ceremony was graced by the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Oppong-Febiri, alongside other esteemed dignitaries and participants who have come from various parts of the country to partake in the training. In her welcome address, the Executive Director of MCRC, Dr. Vida Korang, expressed her delight at the turnout and extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Catholic University of Ghana. She emphasized the importance of the training in promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) p...