Women scientists from the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) and the Seed Production Division (SPD) of COCOBOD provided expert knowledge and technical advice to the farmers at Obuoba Village at Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region.

The initiative, which was in commemoration of this year’s United Nation’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, recognised the role of women and girls in science as agents of change in the cocoa and cashew industries, an official statement issued to the Ghana News Agency, said.

The programme, under the theme: “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Women & Girls in Science as Agents of Change in Transforming the Cocoa & Cashew Industries” provided a platform to engage farmers and showcase the benefit of education, especially for young girls.

Forty students pursuing courses in the Sciences at the secondary and tertiary levels, some of whom are children of cocoa farmers, participated in the training sessions and were offered opportunity to engage with the team on diverse issues relating to their respective fields.

In order to achieve full and equal access to the participation in Science for women and girls, and achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015.

Ghana has over the years promoted Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls to facilitate the contribution of women in achieving all the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Speaking at the training, Mrs Faustine Asamany, the Executive Director of SPD–COCOBOD, said the premium quality attached to Ghana’s cocoa beans was as a result of the intensive scientific research invested in the area.

She commended the training, saying beneficiaries would serve as role models in farming communities, lead the fight against child labour and contribute significantly to research.

Dr Evelyn Ahiale, an Agriculture Economist at Cocoa Research Institute Ghana , encouraged young girls to show interest in Science and pursue higher education.

She also appealed to the farmers to support their female children and provide equal opportunities for them as they would do for their male children.

Mr Eric Asare Botwe, Country Head, Olam Ghana, said the initiative formed part of efforts to engage women and girls on the importance of education, and boost an interest in science among young girls.

“We know that when we give them the right support, women and girls can become catalysts for more sustainable cocoa communities and healthier families,”.

“That’s why, under our Cocoa Compass sustainability ambition, we’re also actively promoting gender equality through initiatives like Village Savings and Loans Associations that help women take control of their finances and save for their children’s education,” he said.

Headquartered and listed in Singapore, Olam is a leading food and agri-business supplying food, ingredients, feed and fiber to 17,300 customers worldwide.

Its value chain spans over 60 countries and includes farming, processing and distribution operations, as well as a sourcing network of an estimated 5 million farmers.