Ghana tops AGRA’s gender mainstreaming in Agriculture scorecard – GBC Ghana Online

Report on Gender Mainstreaming in African Agriculture: A Focus on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: Ghana’s Leadership in Gender-Responsive Agriculture

A research study by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has identified Ghana as the leading nation among Kenya and Malawi in mainstreaming gender within the agricultural sector. The findings, part of AGRA’s Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture Scorecard (GMAS), highlight Ghana’s progress in developing gender-responsive strategies that align with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Despite this commendable performance, the report underscores a critical need for enhanced commitment to policy implementation and capacity building to fully realize gender equality in agriculture.

• Ghana ranked highest for its gender-responsive agricultural strategies.
• A significant gap remains between policy formulation and on-the-ground implementation across the continent.
• Sustained investment and capacity building are required to translate policy into tangible outcomes for women farmers, directly impacting SDG 1 (No Poverty).

AGRA Scorecard Findings and Alignment with SDGs

The GMAS research assessed government progress across several thematic areas crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda. The evaluation framework focused on the following pillars:

1. Enabling Environment: Creating gender-intentional agricultural policies that serve as a foundation for achieving SDG 5.
2. Inclusive Decision-Making: Investing in processes that improve women’s livelihoods, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
3. Accountability Mechanisms: Establishing systems to ensure development agendas for women and youth are effectively planned and executed, a principle central to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Winnie Osulah, Lead for Gender Integration at AGRA, noted that while Ghana’s performance is strong, it did not achieve the maximum possible score. This indicates that further action is necessary to move from policy documentation to rigorous implementation and evaluation, a critical step for achieving measurable progress on SDG targets.

AGRA Ghana’s Strategic Commitments to Inclusive Growth

Dr. John Jagwe, Country Program Lead for AGRA Ghana, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering women in agriculture as indispensable drivers of sustainable growth. AGRA Ghana’s strategy is concentrated on three core areas that directly support multiple SDGs:

• Value Chain Competitiveness: Improving rice and soybean value chains to enhance food security and economic resilience, supporting SDG 2.
• Youth Employment: Creating employment opportunities, which is central to SDG 8.
• Inclusive Participation: Ensuring women and marginalized groups are active participants in agricultural transformation, a core tenet of SDG 5 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

AGRA has established an ambitious target for 70% of all new agricultural jobs to be allocated to women, with an additional 2% reserved for persons with disabilities. This goal highlights a targeted approach to fostering inclusive economic growth and requires robust collaboration with partners like the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, aligning with the principles of SDG 17.

Government Initiatives and Stakeholder Collaboration for Gender Equality

The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has acknowledged the findings and called for collective action to dismantle systemic barriers limiting women’s participation in agriculture. Director of Gender, Faustina Acheampong, emphasized the need for a unified front to champion change.

Key government initiatives aimed at accelerating progress on the SDGs include:

• Establishment of a Women’s Development Bank: A plan under the President’s “Resetting Agenda” to enhance financial inclusion and provide affordable credit to women in small-scale enterprises. This initiative directly addresses SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 5.
• Support for Climate-Affected Rural Women: A call for stakeholders to unite in supporting rural women who are disproportionately affected by climate change and have limited access to modern farming tools, linking gender equality efforts to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The Ministry pledged its continued support for creating an environment where women’s leadership in agriculture is nurtured, their voices influence policy, and their innovations can thrive, thereby ensuring sustainable and equitable development for all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article focuses on the agricultural sector, improving the competitiveness of rice and soybean value chains, and enhancing the livelihoods of those in agriculture, which are central to achieving food security and sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • This is the primary focus of the article. It discusses gender mainstreaming in agriculture, women’s empowerment, creating gender-responsive strategies, ensuring women’s participation in decision-making, and providing financial inclusion for women.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article explicitly mentions AGRA’s goal of creating employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women, within the agricultural sector. It sets a specific target for new agricultural jobs to go to women and persons with disabilities.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • By focusing on the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in agricultural transformation, the article addresses the need to empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights the collaboration between the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and various government bodies in Ghana, such as the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, showcasing a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve common goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women… The article’s focus on improving women’s livelihoods and the competitiveness of key value chains directly supports this target.
2. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The article calls for creating “spaces where women’s leadership in agriculture is nurtured” and where “their voices influence policy.”
   • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to… financial services… The plan to establish a “Women’s Development Bank” to provide “affordable credit facilities for women” is a direct action towards this target.
   • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels. The article discusses Ghana’s “gender-responsive strategies” and the need to move from “policy formulation to policy implementation.”
3. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities… AGRA’s goal for “70 percent of all new agricultural jobs to go to women, with 2 percent reserved for persons with disabilities” directly aligns with this target.
4. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The focus on “inclusive participation across all levels of agricultural transformation” and setting job targets for women and persons with disabilities supports this.
5. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships… The collaboration between AGRA and multiple government ministries is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership working towards sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. The Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture Scorecard (GMAS): This is a direct tool mentioned in the article used to assess and measure how governments are creating an enabling environment for gender-intentional agricultural policies. Ghana’s top ranking and score are used as indicators of its progress.
2. Job Creation Percentages: The article provides specific, measurable indicators for employment: the goal that “70 percent of all new agricultural jobs to go to women” and “2 percent reserved for persons with disabilities.” These are quantitative indicators to track progress on inclusive employment.
3. Establishment of a Women’s Development Bank: The creation of this bank serves as a concrete indicator of progress towards enhancing financial inclusion and providing access to credit for women, as mentioned in the article.
4. Policy Implementation vs. Formulation: The article implies a qualitative indicator by emphasizing the need to move from “policy formulation to policy implementation.” Progress can be measured by evaluating how many gender-responsive policies are actively funded and executed, rather than just existing on paper.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: gbcghanaonline.com