The much-anticipated 8th edition of the Gathering of the Royals is set to kick off today, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the GNAT Hall in Accra. The event will convene over 650 Queen Mothers in agriculture from all 16 regions of Ghana, alongside policymakers, agribusiness leaders, market actors, and development partners, creating a dynamic platform to advance and celebrate women’s transformative role in the agrifood system.
Happening under the theme: “Seeds of Change: From Leadership to Legacy – Women Transforming the Agrifood System will highlight the crucial role our energetic women play in strengthening Ghana’s agrifood systems.
The event will also place strong highlight on the gaps, affecting our food supply chains, infrastructure and our inability to industrialize our agribusiness sector.
The theme will direct the conversations and dialogues, on how our women leaders, could further use their leadership, knowledge, to support in taking community action to build strong, inclusive, and sustainable food systems that support both food security and economic growth.
The Agri-Royal Panel session of this year’s Gathering of the Royals, will feature Queen Mothers operating their farm and agribusiness enterprises from the Volta, Savannah, Central, Western North, Bono East, Ahafo, Eastern, and North East Regions. Unlike last year, which included representatives from Ashanti, Bono, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Western, and Greater Accra Regions.
This rotational approach ensures a more comprehensive perspective across Ghana’s regions. The panel will additionally, provide a platform for Queen Mothers to share practical experiences, challenges, and solutions from their communities, highlighting their role in promoting sustainable agriculture and driving local development.
A new addition to this year’s event is the Market queens’ Traders Conversations, which will witness, market women from Nima, Makola, Lapaz Nii Boiman, Tema Station, Osu Market as the delve deeper into transportation, environment, sanitation, pricing and losses of farm produce, from the farm gate to the market.
This dialogue is aimed at ensuring that market actors, particularly women traders, are fully integrated into Ghana’s evolving agrifood system.
According to the Executive Chair of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa the exciting part and a key highlight about this year’s event is the fulfillment of the 2025 Call to Action and Commitment to Act.
In this regard selected Queen Mothers from across the sixteen Regions of Ghana will receive Day-Old Chicks and other essential items including vaccines, cages, and feed, which will in turn be distributed to the youth.
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa further highlighted the impact of the event over the years;
“ Over the years, the Gathering of the Royals has delivered measurable results, it has enabled crop protection and input companies to penetrate markets for soil testing, fertilizers, seeds, irrigation tools, and machinery; influenced agricultural policies at national and regional levels; supported community-driven agribusiness development; and created sustainable Agri-Jobs through the Royals in Agribooster initiative. This year, we are expanding our reach, deepening partnerships, and ensuring that women leaders remain at the heart of agricultural transformation.” She stated
She also commended the Chief Patron, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, for graciously taking on the role and continuing the legacy of her mother, the former First Lady of Ghana, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and noted the immense value her leadership brings to the Gathering of the Royals.
“We are truly honored to have Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as our Chief Patron, especially as she takes up this role in continuation of her mother’s legacy. Her guidance and unwavering support have been instrumental in elevating this interventional initiative, inspiring Queen Mothers across the nation, and ensuring that women’s leadership continues to transform Ghana’s agrifood system.”
Another highlight of this year’s gathering will be the honoring of farmers with disabilities from the Western North, Central, and Ashanti Regions, recognizing their resilience, determination, and significant contributions to the agrifood system despite the challenges they face. Their stories stand as powerful reminders of courage, innovation, and the inclusive potential of agriculture.
The 8th Gathering of the Royals will be graced by high-profile dignitaries, including the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture Hon. John Setor Dumelo, the Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agribusiness Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, the Deputy Managing Director of the Cocoa Processing Company, and the President of the Queen Mothers Foundation as well as other distinguished guests.
As the 8th Gathering of the Royals opens its doors, it continues to stand as one of Ghana’s most influential platforms for championing the role of traditional women leaders in agriculture turning leadership into lasting legacy, and transforming the country’s agrifood system.
Source:BFT
