The Member of Parliament for the Savelugu Constituency, Fatahiya Abdul Aziz, has officially launched a major women empowerment initiative dubbed “She Grows” aimed at transforming the lives of women engaged in farming and agribusiness across the constituency.

The initiative seeks to empower about 500 women farmers and agribusiness operators with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to improve productivity and achieve economic independence.

Under the She Grows initiative, beneficiary women will receive training in sustainable farming practices, access to farming inputs and other essential resources, as well as support in market linkages to enable them secure ready markets for their produce.

The programme is expected to strengthen women’s participation in agriculture while promoting food security and poverty reduction in the constituency.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz noted that women, particularly those in rural farming communities, continue to face numerous challenges including limited access to financing, inadequate farming inputs, and lack of technical support.

According to her, there is an urgent need for targeted policies and interventions that address the specific needs of women in agriculture. She assured the beneficiaries that her outfit would collaborate with relevant institutions and development partners to ensure the success of the programme.

The Member of Parliament further disclosed that persons with disabilities would not be left out of the development agenda of the constituency. She revealed that a special intervention programme has been designed to support persons with disabilities who are interested in venturing into agribusiness and other income-generating activities.

Beyond the She Grows initiative, the legislator will also roll out series of coordinated interventions aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of residents within the constituency. One of such interventions is the Style of Dagbon project, which is designed to empower women and young people in the fashion industry.

The programme will provide comprehensive training in fashion design, tailoring, entrepreneurship, and mentorship opportunities to enable beneficiaries establish sustainable businesses.

Another flagship intervention is the Storyweavers of Yooyili, a child-centered initiative targeted at children between the ages of six and fifteen years. The programme seeks to nurture creativity and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Dagbon through storytelling, arts, and digital innovation.

Beneficiary children will participate in storytelling workshops, digital storytelling sessions, animation training, and cultural ambassador programmes aimed at building confidence and leadership skills among the youth.
Education also remains a major priority under the MP’s development agenda.

Through an initiative known as Dagbon Karizung, the legislator plans to refurbish and improve existing school infrastructure across the constituency to create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The project is expected to address challenges relating to poor classroom conditions and inadequate educational facilities in some communities.

Water scarcity continues to affect many communities in the constituency, the MP will also unveil the Clean Water Project.

The initiative is aimed at building and rehabilitating wells, improving sanitation systems, and providing water through tanker services, particularly during the dry season when access to potable water becomes extremely difficult for residents.

The Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, who graced the occasion, commended the initiative and encouraged women to take advantage of the opportunities being created through agribusiness. According to her, the agricultural sector is rapidly evolving and women must strategically position themselves to benefit from emerging opportunities within the industry.

The Executive Director of Savannah Women Integrated Development (SWIDA), Alima Sagito Saeed, also urged women to change the perception that they are inferior in society. She encouraged women to confidently avail themselves for opportunities that can improve their economic and social wellbeing, stressing that empowerment begins with self-belief and determination.

The various interventions introduced by the Member of Parliament are expected to significantly improve livelihoods, promote women and youth empowerment, support education, preserve culture, and address critical social challenges confronting the people of the Savelugu Constituency.

Story by Baba Kamil Mohammed Northern Region