ABSAG-UCC launches 2025 Miss Agribusiness Entrepreneurship contest to empower women

In an effort to encourage more women to venture into agribusiness, the Agribusiness Students' Association of Ghana, University of Cape Coast Chapter (ABSAG-UCC), has launched the 2025 Miss Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Contest.

The contest is part of a broader vision to empower young women and elevate the role of agribusiness in national development.

Aims of Miss Agribusiness Contest
In a colourful ceremony held at the UCC Sasakawa Conference Room on May 15, 2025, the contest was officially launched. It aims to celebrate female students who demonstrate passion, innovation, and leadership in agriculture, while creating a vibrant platform for advocacy and awareness.

The programme’s theme, "Seeds of Innovation: Empowering Women in Agribusiness," seeks to promote sustainable practices, value addition, and agritech solutions. The contest also aims to inspire a new generation of female entrepreneurs dedicated to transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector and contributing meaningfully to economic growth.

Lack of Support for Women in Agribusiness

The Central Regional Officer for Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD), Ms. Mabel Konadu Boahen, lamented the limited support women receive in agribusiness, despite their enormous contribution to the sector.

In her remarks, she highlighted that although women make up about 70% of Ghana’s agribusiness sector — participating in everything from input supply, farming, harvesting, processing, and aggregation to marketing — their efforts often go unrecognized.

According to her, “assessing the contributions of women to the sustainability of Ghana's agribusiness, it is imperative for government to consciously support women in agriculture, particularly in its 'Feed Ghana Project', to make the sector more appealing to females to venture into it, thereby reducing the unemployment burden in the country.”

Ms. Boahen made these statements as the guest speaker at the official launch of the 2025 Miss Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Contest.

How the Contest Works
Seven talented and enterprising agribusiness students from UCC will compete over the next three months for the coveted title of Miss Agribusiness 2025. The contest is designed to showcase the creativity and diversity of the participants as they present innovative agribusiness ideas that address challenges within the sector.

The winner will receive a cash prize, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and strategic guidance to help her succeed across the agricultural value chain.

Appeal for Support
Miss Martha Opoku, Deputy Head of the contest’s Organizing Committee, explained that the competition is meant to encourage women to become leaders in agribusiness by turning their ideas into sustainable job-creating ventures.

She made a passionate appeal for support: “Many Ghanaian youths possess unique business ideas but lack the financial muscle to bring their ideas to fruition; thus, any form of collaboration that would help a youth implement their business idea is welcome.”

She also called on the government and philanthropic organizations to support the initiative through sponsorships and partnerships.

Appreciation from Contestants
Speaking on behalf of the contestants, Francisca Arthur Ameniko, a level 100 agribusiness student, expressed her excitement about participating in the contest. She noted that it not only gives them visibility but also provides an opportunity to present and defend their business concepts while receiving support from agribusiness investors.

In addressing the gender gap in agribusiness, it was noted that men currently own 56% of agribusinesses in the informal sector, while women account for 44%.

Dignitaries Present
The event drew several notable personalities in the agricultural sector, including Mr. Daniel Kojo Nyame, Managing Director of Twifo Oil Palm Plantation, who chaired the ceremony; Mr. Perry Mensah, a Management and Tax Consultant; Ms. Victoria Abankwah, Director of Agric for KEEA Municipality; and Leticia Abena Paintsil, the 2024 winner of the contest.

With the launch now complete, the seven female contestants are actively preparing to showcase their knowledge and business acumen in the coming months. The competition promises to be exciting and impactful. May the best contestant win.