The Miss Agriculture Ghana beauty pageant had its third edition launched on September 7, 2019 at the Empire State Hotel. The event that equips the beauty queens through advocacy, training, mentoring, networking and resources brought together 20 women from diverse agricultural backgrounds across the country to contest this year. The event also saw executives and representatives from Women In Agricultural Development (WIAD), Uniting Women in Agricultural Development Foundation (UWAD), Mobile Business Clinic (MBC) Africa and BlueSkies Ghana Limited.

Miss Agriculture Ghana bases on passion for Agriculture.The pageant admits females aged from 18 to 35 who have innovative ideas that can boost the interest of women in Agriculture and also create jobs.

Madam Paulina Addy , CEO of Women In Agricultural Development (WIAD),at the event, commended the contestants for their willingness to help improve women’s participation in agricultural development. She encouraged women in agriculture to register their farms with the government and see farming as a business. She tasked them to take technology and  value addition very serious and promised them the support of WIAD . She went on to say they should take advantage of  the Women in Tractor Operation which the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has introduced.

Madam Anna Tenemba Samake, Executive Director of MBC Africa, on her turn advised the women to appreciate marketing in their daily activities. She said women provide essential services when it comes to Agriculture such as value addition and market intelligence but must venture into other value chains which is considered risky and not for women . She called that women rise beyond all the traditional challenges they face as women and go all out to achieve the ultimate.

The Public Affairs  Director for Blueskies Ghana Limited, Mr. Alistair Djimatey ,also encouraged other corporate bodies to support the Miss Agriculture Ghana brand just as his company has done since the inception of the pageant.
The Public Relations Officer of Uniting Women in Agricultural Development Foundation (UWAD) Mr Christopher Vuyani Pappoe commended the young women for showing such bravery in venturing into what many believe is for men . He indicated that 55 applications were received but 20 were shortlisted for the contest this year. He also added that “Miss Agriculture Ghana is not about physical beauty and cat walking but also project based. I’m surprised to have seen some contestants with nursing backgrounds. This tells us that this is beyond just studying Agriculture in school and Miss Agriculture Ghana has come to stay ” .
Mr. Pappoe also commended the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for recognizing the brand during national Farmers Day celebrations and hoped there would be more to do in the future.
The winner of Miss Agriculture Ghana 2018, Miss Afriyie Obeng- Fosu urged the young women to work hard on their projects . She said “You all cannot be crowned the ultimate winner, It will be just one person and its very important you take your training here serious so that even if you don’t win, what you learn here will change your lives and take you places” .

2018 winner,Miss Afriyie Obeng- Fosu.
Miss Agriculture Ghana seeks to empower young women’s participation in Agriculture. It is powered by Uniting Women for Agricultural Development ( UWAD) Foundation in collaboration with Women in Agricultural Development (WIAD) under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture .
The 3rd edition will have full media coverage by Agric in Ghana Media, Media Billo and will be telecast on Akuafo TV.
By: Dennis Baffour-Awuah