Gender inequality has generally rendered many women disadvantaged, in developing and harnessing their human capital. Whilst various reasons have been cited for the existence of gender inequality in Northern Ghana, the most widely cited reason is culture, specifically the patriarchal system, low participation in decision-making, and unpaid care work.

Gender equality and social inclusion are seen not only as fundamental aspects of human rights and social justice but also as a precondition to improving the development process by placing social concerns at the forefront of interventions. Recognizing the numerous normative issues that contribute to gender inequalities in Northern Ghana and their effects on improving the socioeconomic status of women, URBANET, in partnership with MEDA under the GROW2 project, seeks to tackle these inequalities by implementing Gender Equality Champions (GEC) by engaging men who are passionate and can serve as Community Partners to ignite change.

Under the leadership of the GESI coordinator, 35 men from the North East and East Gonja districts were taken through two days of intensive training.  These men will serve as Gender Equality Champions (GECs) within their various communities. This initiative aims to improve their knowledge and skills as well as equip them with the tools necessary for effective and efficient advocacy. This will ensure community support for women’s socioeconomic empowerment topics such as gender awareness on sex and gender, negative masculinities and their effects, and equity and equality.

Many farmers in Northern Ghana, especially Women Small Holder Farmers (WSHFs) have been known to use grains or “farm-saved seed” from their previous harvest as seed for subsequent seasons. This has led to a significant reduction in yields due to low plant vigour, low germination, and even rampant disease infestations. The dwindling yields from farms as a result of the use of grains have ultimately led to low incomes for these farmers.
The use of #Certified(Quality) seeds, on the other hand, has immense benefits for farmers, including ensuring genetic and physical purity of the crops, ensuring more vigorous, fast-growing and pest and disease resistance conditions to a certain extent, and also ensuring uniform growth and maturity of crops. The use of #Certified seed has been shown to boost yields by up to 10–30%.
As the 2023 production season sets in fully, #URBANET, in collaboration with #MEDA under the GROW2 project and some selected market actors in the seed industry, is facilitating access to #Quality #Certified seeds (soybeans and groundnuts) for our #Clients in 7 districts of the Northern and Savannah regions through a Direct Price Discount Mechanism. This will hopefully boost the yields of our #Clients. The GROW2 project is funded by Global Affair Canada.

The WISE project is having a 3-day mentorship learning event for 50 entrepreneurs across the project’s 5 districts at Sheila’s Executive Hotel, Sunyani. These entrepreneurs were selected, trained, and supported to establish green businesses (Mushroom, Snail, beekeeping, and Soybean production).

With the support of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), through its practical coaching and mentoring, the project has, over the past 12 months, developed the entrepreneurial skills of these entrepreneurs. The period also saw growth in relationships and networks among entrepreneurs.

The WISE project is facilitating a comprehensive suite of gender-responsive business services in five districts of the Northern, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions ( Tolon, Kumbungu, Tano North, Sunyani, and Techiman districts).