Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle-Klottey, has called for the urgent development of specialised pension schemes to support women farmers and market queens in Ghana’s informal economy.
She said that although women in agriculture and trading play a critical role in sustaining local economies, many lack structured retirement plans, leaving them financially vulnerable in old age.
Speaking at the 8th edition of the “Gathering of the Royals” held at the GNAT Hall in Accra, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings noted that the informal and seasonal nature of agricultural work makes it difficult for many women to secure long-term financial protection.
The event, organised by the Agrihouse Foundation under the theme “Seeds of Change: From Leadership to Legacy Women Reforming the Agri-food System,” brought together more than 600 queen mothers from across the country, alongside policymakers and agribusiness leaders.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that pension schemes designed for women farmers and traders must be flexible, accessible and aligned with the realities of their work.
She urged financial institutions to move beyond rigid banking models and develop products tailored to agricultural cycles and the informal nature of women’s economic activities.
Beyond pensions, she highlighted structural challenges affecting women in agriculture, particularly limited access to land.She noted that fragmented land ownership continues to hinder productivity and expansion.
She also raised concerns about the increasing conversion of fertile agricultural land into real estate developments, warning that it poses a threat to long-term food security.
“We must be deliberate about protecting our green zones. The conversion of arable land into real estate is a growing risk to our food systems,” she said.
The forum also drew attention to infrastructure deficits in major markets. During a panel discussion, market queens from Nima, Malata and Tema Station markets cited the lack of storage and preservation facilities as a major challenge affecting their businesses.
Nima Market Queen, Madam Challorte Martey, said the absence of cold storage and modern preservation facilities leads to significant post-harvest losses, reducing incomes for traders.
“Without facilities to preserve produce, much of our hard work goes to waste, affecting women who are already struggling to make ends meet,” she said.
Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, said the annual gathering continues to serve as a platform for traditional leaders to contribute to national policy discussions.
She added that a communiqué from the event would be submitted to Parliament’s Select Committee on Agriculture to inform future policy decisions aimed at strengthening the agri-food sector.
