Abena Kantanka: Meet the successful Ghanaian female farmer who started farming in university
- Abena Safo Kantanka is a successful Ghanaian female farmer who started her career whilst in the university
- She earned her first undergraduate degree in Development Communication at AUCC
- Abena Safo Kantanka is the daughter of Ghanaian agriculturalist, preacher, inventor and innovator Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka
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While generally, the majority of economically active women in farming face obstacles such as financing, ready markets and others, Abena Safo Kantanka is among few successful graduates who have made careers in this field.
After she graduated from senior high school with WASSCE certification in Agricultural Science, she went on to pursue her bachelor's degree in Development Communication at AUCC.
In spite of the challenges women in least-developed countries face, Abena Safo Kantanka began farming whilst in the university with goats and just a sheep in Damango and an acre of maize farm.
From a family of agriculturalists, she had a better support system compared to other women who went on the same path as her to start careers in farming.
She reveals that regardless of the advantages and opportunities, her journey has not been free of setbacks.
Abena, however, on many occasions defied the odds and subsequently moved her crop farming to the Central Region and started construction on the farm to move the animals.
Having made remarkable strides, Abena Safo Kantanka credits much of her success to her father Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, a preacher, inventor, innovator, physicist, chemist, biologist, and agriculturalist.
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"My dad has been my motivation for farming,’’ she said.
Aside her father serving as an inspiration to her, Abena admits that she ‘‘loves nature [because] nature is beautiful and it's not expensive. The desire to eat your own food means growing your own food and I want to eat my own food.’’
Whilst in school, Abena always talked about owning a big farm like her dad where she could also make a difference by providing foodstuffs that are healthy for human consumption and at affordable prices.
Abena is following her dreams and she believes that by farming her own food, she is better placed to reduce the risk of sicknesses associated with unhealthy food products.
‘‘I intend to farm as long as I live," she told YEN.com.gh
Abena Safo Kantanka urged people especially women who desire to pursue professions in farming not to relent in the face of challenges.
YEN.com.gh previously reported that Margaret Afriyie, a Ghanaian midwife, has received great commendation for her love and compassion towards the poor and needy especially pregnant mothers in under-served communities.
From Ahafo Ano South-East District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Afriyie’s benevolent gesture towards her clients at the Ahwirewam CHPS Compound, where she is currently the only midwife with three supporting Nurse Assistants, has urged more women to seek care at her facility.
In a bid to sustain her ability to provide gifts to pregnant women who deliver at the clinic, Afriyie acquired a 2.5-acre land where she is growing cabbage and another 2.5-acre land where she is cultivating maize.
READ ALSO: Alice ‘Baby Jet’: Ghana’s sprinter and long jumper who ruled Africa in the 70s with her top speed
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Source: YEN.com.gh
