By: Linda Dede Nyanya Godji
Seventy One (71) female agribusiness founders from 16 African countries on Thursday, graduated from Guzakuza’s flagship program Ignite-(African Women in Agribusiness program)
Guzakuza is an organisation that inspires young women to build resilient Agribusinesses by providing them with relevant platforms, tools and resources.
The graduation ceremony also marked the enrollment of 80 participants from 18 African countries who have been shortlisted and selected for the 2021 cohort.
In a keynote address, Former Cabinet Minister and Presidential Aspirant for Sierra Leone, Dr Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR, urged the grandaunts and the new cohorts to pursue greatness ans also change the face of agribusiness on the continent.
She added that women have the power to cause positive change in the world hence, the targeting women in these program is in the right direction.
One of the Key partners for Guzakuza’s Ignite program is GIZ Ghana. In a speech, the Head of Programme, Agribiz, GIZ Ghana, Dr Elke Stumpf, said they cherished partnerships with organizations such as Guzakuza, whose vision is to promote women and youth in agribusiness.
She added that agriculture is critical to the very existence of man hence, an initiative to boost the sector should be given the maximum support.
Key stakeholders in the agricultural sector in Ghana as well as Diplomats were present to add their weight to the event.
Past and current participants who took turns to share testimonies about the Ignite program stressed that the program has gone a long way to reshape their mind-set in carrying out their agribusinesses adding that they are already seeing positive results.
About Ignite.
The African Women in Agribusiness Programme (Ignite) since its inception in 2016 has served as a platform for female agribusiness founders on the continent to be inspired, educated, nurtured and empowered through mentorship, coaching, internships, field trips, business simulation, and relevant trainings both online and residential to build resilient businesses and improve their self-development.
So far over one hundred and thirty(130) Igniters have been graduated since its inception. Ignite has created about 200 direct jobs and 69% of Igniters are still in active business.
The theme for Ignite 2021 is, ‘Rethink, Refine and Refire!
