Thirteen young women with limited prior exposure to agricultural mechanization have successfully completed an intensive training and internship program under the Diversified Women in Agriculture Occupations for Wealth (DiWAOW) initiative.
The initiative forms part of the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) program, which is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited and being implemented by an eight-member consortium which includes the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).
The trainees underwent a one-month practical training at the Adidome Farm Institute in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region. The training, led by the MiDA, focused on building technical competencies in agricultural mechanization, including safe machinery operation, equipment calibration, and basic maintenance.
Following the training, participants transitioned into structured internships with leading agribusiness firms such as African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC), Delma Farms, Maphlix Trust Ghana Ltd, and Agro Kings Limited. These placements provided a real-world environment for trainees to apply and strengthen their skills in mechanized farming operations.
During the internship period, the women carried out key mechanization tasks under supervision, including tractor operation, implement hitching, machinery calibration, and routine equipment assessments. Supervisors across host farms praised the interns for their strong work ethic, attention to detail, and adherence to safety standards.
Beyond technical skills, the program also strengthened participants’ soft skills. Supervisors reported notable improvements in teamwork, communication, and confidence, with interns demonstrating the ability to follow operational procedures and contribute effectively to farm productivity.
A key outcome of the program was the transition of several participants into full-time employment. Five interns secured permanent roles, with Mary Yaboah, Grace Tachie, Jumai Alhassan, and Lawrencia Essien retained by AAC, while Charity Butsomekpor received an offer from Delma Farms.
Some of them could not hide their joy as they expressed appreciation to MiDA, Agri-Impact, and the Mastercard Foundation for the training.
For many participants, the DiWAOW initiative has marked a turning point opening pathways to stable employment within Ghana’s mechanized agriculture sector and demonstrating the potential of women to thrive in non-traditional roles when given the right support.
The DiWAOW initiative addresses a critical gap between skills training and employment by combining classroom instruction with hands-on industry experience. Its success underscores the importance of targeted interventions in advancing women’s economic empowerment and supporting the modernization of agriculture in Ghana.
As a key component of the HAPPY Program, DiWAOW equips young women with industry-relevant skills in agricultural mechanization, positioning them for sustainable employment and enabling them to become certified service providers in Ghana’s evolving agribusiness sector.
The HAPPY Program is an initiative of the Mastercard Foundation, implemented in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited through a consortium of eight institutions, including MiDA. The program targets young people aged 18 to 35, particularly women and persons with disabilities, with the goal of creating 326,000 dignified and fulfilling job opportunities across the tomato, poultry, soybean, and rice value chains. Since its rollout in December 2023, more than 270,000 young people have already been engaged.
