Accra, April 7, – Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle-Klottey, has called for the creation of specialised pension schemes designed specifically for women farmers and market queens to improve long-term financial security.
She said women in agriculture and informal trading remain the backbone of local economies but often lack structured retirement systems, leaving them financially vulnerable in old age.
Speaking at the eighth edition of the “Gathering of the Royals” at the GNAT Hall in Accra, she noted that the informal and seasonal nature of their work makes traditional pension models unsuitable for many women in the sector.
“Market women and women farmers form the backbone of our local economies, yet many operate without any form of financial security for the future,” she said.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings urged financial institutions to design flexible pension products that reflect the realities of agricultural cycles and informal trade.
She also called for reforms in land tenure systems, warning that fragmented land ownership continues to limit productivity and scale in agriculture.
She further expressed concern about the rapid conversion of arable land into real estate, describing it as a growing threat to Ghana’s long-term food security.
“We must be deliberate about protecting our green zones,” she said.
The event, organised by Agrihouse Foundation, brought together more than 600 Queen Mothers from all 16 regions, alongside policymakers and agribusiness stakeholders under the theme “Seeds of Change: From Leadership to Legacy Women Reforming the Agri-food System.”
Market leaders from Nima, Malata and Tema Station highlighted challenges including inadequate storage and cold-chain facilities, which they said contribute to significant post-harvest losses.
The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation said a communiqué from the forum would be submitted to Parliament’s Agriculture Committee to inform policy action.
GHBUSS
April 7, 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment