700 Ghana Queen Mothers Unite to Boost Tomato Production

Nearly 700 influential women leaders in Ghana just received the tools to transform their country's food system while lifting up their communities.

The 2026 Gathering of Royals brought together queen mothers and market queens to address a pressing challenge: Ghana imports almost $19 million worth of tomatoes annually, mostly from Burkina Faso. The event, organized by Agrihouse Foundation, aims to flip that script by scaling up domestic tomato production by the end of 2026.

Under the theme "Seeds of Change: From Leadership to Legacy," the gathering recognized something powerful. Women already play a crucial role in Ghana's agricultural system, and equipping them with resources creates lasting change.

Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, shared how their vision is becoming reality. The foundation set out to support 100 young women in each of Ghana's 16 regions to start poultry businesses, totaling 1,600 women nationwide.

Queen mothers didn't just leave with inspiration. They received complete poultry starter packs including day-old chicks, feed, vaccines, and feeding trays through the government's Nkoko Nkikiti programme.

Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Korle Klottey, emphasized this wasn't just about distribution. The goal is real success for women and their communities, with everything needed to start on strong footing.

The timing matters because Ghana's tomato imports reveal a significant opportunity. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the country recorded 1,740 fresh tomato shipments, with Burkina Faso supplying 77% of them.

Discussions focused on building networks of producers who can scale up production and add value to their crops. The foundation also launched a call to action for 2027, doubling down on strengthening the tomato value chain.

The Ripple Effect

When you empower nearly 700 community leaders with agricultural resources, the impact multiplies across entire regions. Each queen mother returns to her community not as a recipient but as a catalyst for change.

The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana pledged support for research, development, and capacity building for women in agriculture. This international backing shows how local initiatives can attract global partnerships when they address real needs with practical solutions.

Young people in these communities will benefit twice: from the poultry programme creating immediate opportunities and from seeing women leaders model sustainable entrepreneurship. That's how you build legacies, not just projects.

These 700 women leaders are planting seeds that will grow far beyond tomatoes and chickens.