ActionAid Ghana Strengthens Indigenous Seed Systems Through Capacity-Building Training in Upper East Region

ActionAid Ghana, through its Upper East Programme Office, has trained smallholder farmers and youth activists, 80% of whom were women, in indigenous seed preservation and agroecology, reinforcing efforts to promote food sovereignty and climate-resilient livelihoods.

The training, organised in partnership with Trax Ghana and The Beela Project, brought together women farmer groups, Activista representatives, and members of the Young Urban Women Movement (YUWM), highlighting a growing shift toward inclusive, community-driven agricultural systems.

Facilitated by Madam Abena Offeh-Gyimah, Director of The Beela Project, the session delivered practical modules on seed systems, agroecological practices, and gender-transformative approaches. Participants were equipped with skills in seed selection, treatment, and storage, as well as sustainable farming techniques such as composting, mulching, and intercropping.

According to ActionAid Ghana, over 70% of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana depend on informal seed systems, making indigenous seed preservation critical to food security and biodiversity conservation. This is particularly important within a broader context where food insecurity remains a pressing challenge.

Across Africa, an estimated 278 million people—about one in five—face chronic hunger (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP & WHO, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 2023). In Ghana, over 3 million people experience moderate to severe food insecurity (Ghana Statistical Service & World Food Programme, 2023 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis), with northern regions disproportionately affected due to erratic rainfall patterns and limited access to resilient farming inputs.

Government efforts to address these challenges include flagship programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD), and the Ghana CARES “Obaatan Pa” Programme, which aim to boost agricultural productivity, improve access to inputs, and strengthen value chains. Additionally, increasing policy attention is being given to climate-smart agriculture and local seed system development, aligning with national commitments to sustainable food systems (Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana).

The training was structured into three key modules. The first module introduced participants to seeds and seed systems, highlighting their importance in sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods. It covered different types of seeds—indigenous, improved, hybrid, and genetically modified, and examined the seed system in Ghana. Particular emphasis was placed on the critical role of indigenous seeds and the central role farmers, especially women, play in conserving them.

The second module focused on indigenous seed systems within the broader context of agroecology. Participants were guided on how to identify resilient local seed varieties, as well as techniques for seed selection, treatment, and storage. The session also explored agroecological practices that support indigenous seed production, including composting, mulching, and intercropping. In addition, participants learned about community seed banks and seed exchange systems as sustainable approaches to preserving biodiversity and strengthening local food systems.

The third module introduced participants to gender-transformative approaches in agriculture. Discussions centered on gender roles within seed systems, the importance of engaging men as allies in promoting gender equality and seed sovereignty, and strategies for developing community-based campaigns to promote indigenous seeds.

A key outcome of the training is a planned community-led outreach expected to reach more than 1,000 farmers through step-down sensitisation sessions, seed exchanges, and local advocacy initiatives in the coming months.

Participants also developed a media campaign titled “Our Seeds, Our Identity, Our Future,” which will run on radio for one month with daily jingles to promote awareness on indigenous seed preservation and usage.

Speaking at the training, the Upper East Regional Manager of ActionAid Ghana, Mr. Akuka Yakubu, underscored the strategic relevance of the initiative:

“This training directly advances ActionAid Ghana’s Country Strategy VII, particularly Strategic Priority One on Green Economy and Resilient Livelihoods. At ActionAid Ghana, we believe strongly that by strengthening indigenous seed systems and promoting agroecology, we are equipping communities, especially women farmers—with the tools to build climate-resilient livelihoods, safeguard biodiversity, and take greater control over their food systems.”

He further urged participants to actively disseminate the knowledge gained, particularly ahead of the farming season.

The initiative directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): by strengthening local food production systems and promoting resilient agricultural practices;
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): by empowering women farmers and promoting gender-transformative approaches in agriculture;
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): through the preservation of indigenous seeds and sustainable resource use;
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): by advancing agroecological practices that enhance climate resilience; and
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): by protecting agricultural biodiversity and indigenous seed varieties.

In her closing remarks, Madam Abena Offeh-Gyimah reaffirmed The Beela Project’s commitment to scaling up collaboration with ActionAid Ghana, including strengthening community seed banks and organising annual seed fairs.

The training forms part of ActionAid Ghana’s Country Strategy VII, which prioritises agroecology, food sovereignty, and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities, while complementing national and continental efforts to build resilient and self-sustaining food systems.

Written by Sebastian Alesane & Jacqueline Parditey.