15 women in the Upper East Region have graduated from a one-month tractor training program dubbed Women in Mechanization Program organized by Tractors for Africa Foundation in partnership with GIZ.
Through the one-month training, the women were taken through tractor operations and soft skills on business operations to equip them to be able to run their businesses in the future.
The operation of tractors is mainly done by men in the Upper East Region and in most parts of Ghana. This has largely influenced the decision to introduce the Women in Mechanization Training program to encourage females to go into agriculture and tractor operations.
Following the desire to train more women, Tractors for Africa started the intervention in 2023 with the training of 8 females which saw the figure increase to 15 in 2024. The foundation has expressed readiness to train 50 in 2025 and another 50 in 2026 to bring the figure to over 100 women tractor operators who will take advantage of the growing tractor service needs of farmers.
Having completed the one-month training and received their certificates, the women are expected to go for industrial attachment on commercial farms, where they can make good use of the practical training.
Tractors for Africa Foundation has over the years shown its commitment to empowering farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity in the region. This has led to the deployment of innovative approaches such as leveraging tractors, introducing alternative payment methods for farming supplies, and participating in grain sales. TFAF has significantly transformed the agrarian landscape in Ghana.
Acting Chief Operations Officer for Tractors for Africa Foundation, Emmanuel Nsobila noted that the Foundation desires to train over 100 female tractor operators.
“Our goal is to build all-inclusive female tractor operators by 2026, which is one reason we want to start the training now. By 2026, we want to train over 100. Last year we trained 8, this year, we doubled it, that is 15, and next year we want to train 50 and another 50 in 2026.” He said.
Mr. Nsobila continued stating “We are not only training them for ourselves but we are also training them for the market so that other commercial farmers can make good use of them. We are training females because it is an area that is male-dominated and largely without formal training.”
A beneficiary, Rita Ayamga expressed delight over the organization of the one-month intensive training. “When I heard of the training, I decided to go into it but I have never driven a car before so I was initially afraid but our trainers were patient with us and today we can operate a tractor.” She said in excitement.
Another beneficiary, Asigre Linda also commended the foundation for the training as she explained that the training was intense. “I would like to thank Tractors for Africa Foundation because we are really happy.” She stressed.
