WOMEN WHO SHAPE GHANA’S COCOA FUTURE: ELIZABETH OWIREDUWA ASAH ALLOTEY - ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY IN COCOA COMMUNITIES

Date: 06th March 2026

By Rhoda Onyinah (Public Affairs Department)

In Ghana’s cocoa-growing communities, women play vital yet often under-recognised roles in sustaining the sector that supports millions of livelihoods.

At the forefront of efforts to empower women farmers and promote equal opportunities is Elizabeth Owireduwa Asah Allotey, Gender Coordinator at the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) office in Agona Swedru in the Central Region.

With 15 years of experience in the cocoa sector, Elizabeth has dedicated her career to promoting gender equality, protecting children, and strengthening environmental awareness in cocoa farming communities. Her work focuses on ensuring that farmers—particularly women—have the knowledge, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive.

Elizabeth’s journey into the cocoa sector was driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully to a reputable institution while advancing her professional growth. “COCOBOD provides an opportunity to learn from others and gain experiences that help me achieve my career goals,” she explains.

In her role, she coordinates and implements gender, child labour, and environmental initiatives across the Central Region. She regularly facilitates training sessions for Farmer-Based Organizations and cooperatives, equipping farmers with knowledge that promotes responsible cocoa production and sustainable livelihoods.

A key aspect of her work is supporting women farmers to diversify their sources of income. Through targeted training programmes, many women have acquired skills in value addition and alternative livelihoods such as cocoa by-product processing, gari processing, soap making, bread making, beads making, and palm oil production. These initiatives help women build financial independence beyond cocoa farming.

Elizabeth’s impact is reflected not only in the programmes she leads but also in the success stories of the farmers she supports. One such moment she proudly recalls is when Augustina Eshun of Ebukrom-Nyamebekyere in the Jukwa District, whom she mentored through cooperative engagement, was named the Regional Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer in 2020.

Like many development practitioners, Elizabeth acknowledges that her work comes with challenges. Frequent changes in leadership at the district level can sometimes disrupt strategies designed to support cocoa communities. However, she has learned to navigate such challenges by studying leadership dynamics and adapting her approach to ensure continuity and progress.

For Elizabeth, teamwork and clear daily goals are key sources of motivation. Her passion for gender equality is also inspired by advocates such as Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutin, West African Regional Director for ABANTU for Development, whose tireless work continues to shape public policy on women’s rights and leadership in Ghana.

She firmly believes that women are central to the success of Ghana’s cocoa industry. From planting seedlings and weeding to harvesting, fermentation, and drying of cocoa beans, women contribute significantly across the cocoa value chain. Increasing women’s participation, she notes, leads to higher productivity, improved household incomes, and stronger communities.

To further strengthen the sector, Elizabeth advocates equal access to land for women, which she considers essential for gender equality and sustainable land management in cocoa-growing areas.

Beyond her professional commitments, she places great importance on maintaining balance between work and family life. Careful planning of her daily activities enables her to remain productive while making time for herself and her loved ones.

As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026, Elizabeth’s message to young women interested in agriculture is simple but powerful: success requires dedication and trustworthiness.

For her, International Women’s Day is also a moment to reflect on the long journey toward gender equality and the continued effort required to ensure women’s rights are fully realised.

“A strong cocoa sector needs women,” she emphasises, “because women’s participation, access to decent work, and their ability to influence economic decisions at all levels are essential for sustainable development.”

Through her dedication, leadership, and commitment to empowering others, Elizabeth Owireduwa Asah Allotey continues to help shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for Ghana’s cocoa sector.