Empowering Women in African Agribusiness: Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah Receives Africa 40 under 40 Agribusiness Award

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - Africa 40 under 40 has recognized Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah for her remarkable contributions to the agribusiness sector in Africa. The renowned award platform, established to celebrate and acknowledge exceptional young African business leaders under the age of 40, honored Sifa Amponsah with the prestigious Agribusiness Award for her outstanding leadership at Guzakuza, a social enterprise that empowers women to build resilient agribusinesses in Africa.

Amponsah has been instrumental in changing the narrative of women's limited participation in agribusiness in Africa. Women make up almost 50% of the agricultural workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa but account for only 15% of landholders, according to a report by the World Bank. Furthermore, women face numerous barriers to their economic inclusion, including limited access to finance, market information, and agribusiness training. Guzakuza has tackled these challenges head-on, providing women with agribusiness training, mentorship, access to finance, and access to markets, enabling them to generate income and make a meaningful impact.

Guzakuza's initiatives include the African Women in Agribusiness Fellowship-Ignite, which provides African women with training in agribusiness management and leadership, access to finance, market and mentorship. The fellowship is open to women aged between 18 and 45 years and aims to nurture a pipeline of women-led agribusinesses in Africa. Since its inception in 2016, the fellowship has supported many women-led agribusinesses in various sectors, including food processing, agroforestry, and livestock farming.

Guzakuza also organizes the Women in Agribusiness Week, which aims to bring together women from different parts of Africa to learn from each other, network, and explore potential partnerships. The week-long event features panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions of women-led agribusinesses. The event has brought together over 2,000 women in Agribusiness since its inauguration in 2021.

The African Women in Agribusiness Awards is another initiative by Guzakuza that recognizes women and women-led agribusinesses that are blazing the African agribusiness trail. The awards aim to promote visibility, recognise and celebrate women in the sector. Guzakuza also offers MentorHer, a mentorship program that matches women with minimum experience in the industry with experienced agribusiness professionals who provide guidance and support.

"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, which is a testament to the unwavering efforts of our team at Guzakuza and the impactful work we do to connect, catalyze, and create opportunities for women in the agribusiness sector," said Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah. "I hope this award serves as an inspiration to more young women leaders to pursue their dreams and contribute to the growth and development of our continent."

Amponsah's recognition is part of a growing movement that recognizes the vital role that women play in Africa's agribusiness sector. According to the African Development Bank, women constitute 70% of the agricultural workforce in Africa but have limited access to inputs, credit, and extension services. Amponsah's leadership has directly impacted over 7000 Agribusiness women in Africa and the diaspora, and she continues to inspire and support female founders in Africa.

The recognition of Amponsah's work comes at a time when Africa is facing unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted food systems, worsened poverty, and aggravated gender inequalities. The pandemic has highlighted the need for innovative solutions that support women's economic empowerment and build resilience in the agribusiness sector. Guzakuza has been at the forefront of responding to these challenges, providing women with the skills and resources they need to weather the storm and emerge stronger.

As a global advocate for female empowerment, Amponsah's vision for Guzakuza is to create a world where women have agency over their lives and can make meaningful contributions to the growth of the African economy. She highlighted the need for more resources to be invested in women-led agribusinesses, citing their potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve food security in Africa.

Amponsah's recognition by Africa 40 under 40 is a significant milestone for her and Guzakuza, and it is hoped that it will inspire more female founders and leaders to pursue their dreams and contribute to the growth and development of the African continent. As the lead at Guzakuza, Amponsah has been instrumental in changing the narrative of women's limited participation in agribusiness in Africa. Through Guzakuza's initiatives, women have been empowered to build resilient agribusinesses and make a meaningful impact on the African economy.

In conclusion, Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah's recognition by Africa 40 under 40 is a testament to her outstanding leadership and the impactful work that Guzakuza is doing to empower women in the agribusiness sector in Africa. The initiatives by Guzakuza have been instrumental in changing the narrative of women's limited participation in agribusiness in Africa, and it is hoped that the recognition of Amponsah's work will inspire more young women to pursue their dreams and contribute to the growth and development of the African continent.

Guzakuza
Email: akwaaba@guzakuza.org
Website: www.guzakuza.org
Phone: +233 (0) 204999338
Ghana

Nana Adjoa Sifa Amponsah is a social businesswoman and global advocate for women's economic empowerment. She is the lead at Guzakuza, a social enterprise that empowers women to build resilient agribusinesses in Africa. Her work at Guzakuza has directly impacted over 7000 women in Africa and the diaspora. Amponsah is a recognized leader in the African agribusiness sector and was recently honored with the prestigious Agribusiness Award by Africa 40 under 40 for her remarkable contributions to the sector. She continues to inspire and support young women business people in Africa and is passionate about creating a world where women have agency over their lives and can make meaningful contributions to the growth of the African economy.

This release was published on openPR.