Introduction to the Agbledomi Women Farmers and Traders Association
The Agbledomi Women Farmers and Traders Association (AWFTA) has been officially launched in Dzita-Agbledomi, within the Anloga District of the Volta Region. This significant event took place under the theme: “Empowering Women through Cooperative Farming and Agribusiness.” The inauguration was presided over by Mrs. Patience Effua Dogbey, Headmistress of Volta Senior High School, and drew a large crowd of women farmers, traders, and dignitaries from across the district.
Vision and Goals of AWFTA
Mr. Timothy Dotsey, the Founder and Patron of AWFTA, emphasized that the association was established to promote women’s economic empowerment through cooperative farming, agribusiness, and trading initiatives. He highlighted that AWFTA currently has 265 registered members, with 150 in good standing, and aims to become a model for women-led community development in the district.
Dotsey pointed out that Agbledomi serves as a major food hub for both Anloga and Keta Districts, but local farmers face numerous challenges. These include limited access to credit, poor road networks, and the blockage of the estuary that restricts access to the Ada Market.
He urged the Anloga District Agricultural Office, financial institutions, and benevolent organizations to collaborate with the Association to address these obstacles. Dotsey stressed that empowering rural women is essential for the overall empowerment of entire communities.
Government and Local Authorities’ Support
Mr. Franklin Kwaku Agbove, the District Director of Agriculture, praised AWFTA for its initiative, calling it a step in the right direction and aligning with the government’s Feed Ghana Policy. He assured the association of continued technical support, training, and access to farm inputs and markets to help them thrive in the next farming season.
Mr. Dzamboe Obed, Deputy Director at the District Assembly, conveyed the District Chief Executive’s goodwill message and pledged the Assembly’s collaboration with AWFTA to promote women-led local development. He encouraged the association members to embrace the idea and utilize it to make farming attractive not only to their families but also to the entire region and the younger generation.
“We encourage you to remain united, focused, and dedicated to your goals,” he said.
Stakeholders and Financial Contributions
The program featured other stakeholders from the agriculture industry, including Madam Joyce Kpormego from the Anlo Progressive Cooperative Credit Union, Mr. Jasper Agbanator, Assembly Member for Agbledomi, and Mr. Godwin Senam Agboworkunu, Head of Credit at the Anlo Rural Bank. These individuals spoke on the importance of financial literacy and commended the Association for partnering with a reputable financial institution to manage its funds transparently.
The bank also made a financial contribution to support the event’s organization.
Closing Remarks and Community Impact
Mrs. Dogbey, in her closing remarks, commended the women for their unity and determination and urged them to uphold the rules governing the Association. She also expressed appreciation to Mr. Dotsey for his continued efforts towards development in the Agbledomi Electoral Area.
Some participants expressed satisfaction with the formation of the Association, noting that it had rekindled their commitment to farming and improved their financial well-being. They, however, appealed to the government to show greater commitment by improving road networks leading to their farms and establishing a storage facility to help reduce post-harvest losses.
“We are more united and motivated now than ever before,” one member said. “But we need better roads and a warehouse to protect our hard-earned produce.”
The community contributes significantly to the local economy through the cultivation of vegetables, food crops, and fish farming, among other agricultural activities.