Update on the African Woman Food Farmer Initiative in Ghana

Upon the sudden death of Mrs. Osei-Mensah, the former National Coordinator, the Global Office has recruited Mrs. Emma Owiredu as the new National Coordinator for AWFFI-Ghana. She has followed in the foot steps of her predecessor by strengthening the structure of AWFFI, especially the loan committees in the various areas of activities in Peki, Ada and Agona Asafo. Mrs. Owiredu is currently engaged in streamlining the system of reimbursement and loan recovery and building the capacity of the leadership in the villages to ensure full recovery of loans. She will continue to focus on institutional capacity building before proceeding to disburse additional loans. Therefore, no additional loans have been disbursed to date in 2001.

However, the impact of the loans granted in 2000 is already visible in the confidence gained by our women partners to take charge of their own destinies. The success of the credit program has already contributed to demystify the notion that rural women are unable to control their own lives. Access to credit has enabled women to engage in increased and diversified economic activities; and as a result, women in neighboring areas are now requesting to become members of AWFFI