19 honored at Guzakuza’s African Women in Agribusiness Awards ‘23

Nineteen (19) remarkable women across the African continent were celebrated for their impact on agribusiness at this year's African Women in Agribusiness Awards.

Held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Accra, Ghana on Saturday, November 18, the annual award now in its third year, recognised and rewarded women blazing the trail in the agriculture sector on the continent.

Organised by social enterprise, Guzakuza, the goal is to empower more women to play active roles in agribusiness and contribute to food security and economic growth.

Over 750 applications were received across 19 categories for this year's awards, according to the awarding board which comprised nine members from various African countries.

The winners demonstrated not just financial success but leadership, resilience, innovation and sustainability, said Guzakuza.

In her welcome address, Guzakuza founder Nana Adjoa Amponsah Sifa noted, "While profitability is undoubtedly a crucial indicator of agribusiness success, our awards go beyond the balance sheet.

Guzakuza founder Nana Adjoa Amponsah Sifa[right] with a representative from GIZ Ghana, a sponsor of the event

“We recognise and honour the often-overlooked facets of success, including exceptional leadership qualities, unwavering resilience, groundbreaking innovation, sustainable practices, and the implementation of best business strategies."

She added, "The awards shine a spotlight on these extraordinary women, acknowledging their profound impact on the economic landscape."

The awards culminated a week-long Women in Agribusiness Week which included forums and exhibitions held in three regions of Ghana that brought together players in the sector.

Top-most among the winners were Mabel-Ann Kwudzo for Best Farmer and Edith Wheathand, a poultry farmer, who won African Agribusiness Woman of the Year.

"The recognition will inspire me to do more and inspire many young women to enter Agribusiness," Madam Wheathand told ModernGhana News on the sidelines.

Seven of the nineteen awards, including Best Farmer and overall winner, went to Ghanaians, demonstrating the host country’s country's dominance on the night.

Guzakuza continues its mission of improving food security and creating wealth by inspiring more women into agribusiness under programs such as MentorHer, SheFarms and others.

Check full winners and their respective categories below;

1) SHE-INNOVATE:
Dr. Wanda Lewis
2) EMERGING STAR IN AGRIBUSINESS:
Christabel Ofori
3) PERSEVERANCE:
Yvette Dickson Tetteh
4) GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
Rosemary Kimunya
5) ROLE MODEL:
Portia Agyei Yeboah
6) BUSINESS DIVERSIFICATION AWARD:
Hauwa R. Abubakar
7) EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
Temitope Ande
8) NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
Isata Guiro Sithole
9) DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:
Asma Begun Mirza
10) YOUNG AGRIPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:
Esther Nyakiri Nduta
11) AGRI-E-COMMERCE OF THE YEAR:
Josephine June Gathoni Njoki
12) AGRI TECH OF THE YEAR:
Maryanne Gichanga
13) INTERNATIONAL AGRIBUSINESS WOMAN:
Amaka Chukwudum
14) AGRI JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:
Gifty Manye-Hodey
15) BEST AGRICULTURE/AGRIBUSINESS STUDENT AWARD:

Gertrude Chambati
16) BEST ADVOCACY AWARD:
Merci T. Manzini
17) BEST PACKAGING:
Emi-Beth Quantson
18) BEST FARMER:
Mabel-Ann Ako-Kwudzo
19) AFRICAN AGRIBUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR:
Edith Wheatland