Women Who Shape Ghana’s Cocoa Future: The Woman Behind Many of Western South’s Award-Winning Cocoa Farmers

 In Ghana’s cocoa sector, the spotlight often shines on farmers who win national awards for excellence in production, innovation and farm management. Yet behind many of these celebrated farmers is a dedicated extension professional whose technical guidance has helped shape their success.

For farmers across several cocoa-growing districts, Winnifred Akua Armah, Principal Technical Officer at the Ghana Cocoa Board’s Western South Regional Office, has become synonymous with discipline in farm management, practical training and unwavering support.

When Winifred steps into cocoa farms across the Western South Region, she carries more than extension manuals and training guides. She carries hope, knowledge, and determination. As the Regional Extension Officer, she works closely with farmers to improve productivity, promote good agricultural practices, and strengthen livelihoods.

What makes Winnifred’s story especially inspiring is that she is also a new mother. Balancing motherhood with fieldwork is no easy task, yet she approaches both with the same dedication and care.

Over her 15 years in the cocoa sector, farmers who have benefited from her technical supervision say her influence has played a key role in transforming farms, improving yields and preparing them for national recognition.

Despite the challenges of travel, long hours, and family responsibilities, Winnifred remains motivated by the impact she sees in the lives of farmers every day.

Turning Training into Results

Farmers often recall that Winnifred’s approach to extension work focuses on one key principle: knowledge must translate into action on the farm.

Under her supervision as District Extension Coordinator at Diaso, extension officers worked closely with farmers to ensure that recommended agronomic practices such as proper pruning, farm sanitation, pest control and soil management were not only taught but consistently applied.

The results soon began to show.

In 2020, Peh Raymus emerged as National Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, a recognition many in the district attribute to the strong extension guidance he received during the formative years of his farming journey.

That achievement would mark the beginning of a remarkable streak for farmers within the region.

A Growing List of National Winners

Over the years, districts under Winnifred’s supervision have produced a steady stream of national award winners.

In 2021, Nana Kwadwo Amoako from Manso Amenfi District was named National Best Cocoa Farmer, while Kwame Alex of Huni Valley District was crowned National Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer.

The following year continued the trend. In 2022, Madam Joyce Dapaah from Aiyinase District won National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer, while Peter Painstil from Tarkwa District was named National Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer.

The region’s reputation for producing outstanding farmers remained strong in subsequent years.

In 2023, George Opoku Koduah of Prestea District received the title of National Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer.

In 2024, two farmers from the region once again took national honours: Madam Yaa Adjeley of Asankragwa District, who won National Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer, and Kwame Alex, who returned to the national stage to become National Best Cocoa Farmer.

Most recently, in 2025, Kwasi Sei from Tarkwa District was named National Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer.

For many of these farmers, their awards represent not only personal dedication but also the strength of the extension system that supported their growth.

Beyond Awards: Building Stronger Communities

Recognition at the national level has opened doors for many of these farmers.

Some have travelled to Europe and South America through programmes supported by the Ghana Cocoa Board, gaining exposure to international cocoa production systems and sustainability practices.

These experiences have enabled them to bring new ideas back to their communities. Today, several of them champion initiatives that go beyond cocoa production, including campaigns promoting education for the girl child, advocacy against child labour and forced labour, and efforts to protect cocoa-growing areas from illegal mining.

In many cases, these farmers have become community leaders, using their influence to encourage responsible farming practices and social development.

Encouraging Women in Cocoa

Farmers also say Winnifred has consistently promoted inclusive participation in cocoa farming.

Through training programmes and farmer engagements, she has ensured that women farmers are actively encouraged to participate and receive equal access to technical advice and farm inputs.

Her efforts have helped many women farmers gain the confidence to apply improved agronomic practices and take leadership roles within farmer groups.

The national recognition of farmers such as Madam Joyce Dapaah and Madam Yaa Adjeley reflects the growing visibility of women in the cocoa sector.

A Role Model in a Demanding Sector

Working in a sector traditionally dominated by men, Winnifred has had to navigate challenges ranging from the physical demands of fieldwork to proving technical competence in environments where women are sometimes underestimated.

Through consistency, professionalism and continuous learning, she has earned the respect of farmers and colleagues alike.

Beyond her work in the field, she continues to mentor young extension officers, particularly women entering the profession, helping to build a new generation of agricultural professionals committed to sustaining Ghana’s cocoa industry.

Strengthening the Future of Cocoa

As Ghana celebrates International Women’s Day 2026, the achievements of award-winning farmers in the Western South Region highlight the vital role of extension professionals who work behind the scenes to support them.

For many farmers who have benefited from her guidance, Winnifred Akua Armah represents the dedication and leadership needed to strengthen Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Her belief remains clear:

A strong cocoa sector needs women because women bring dedication, a nurturing spirit and innovation to every stage of the value chain. When women are empowered, the entire cocoa industry becomes stronger and more sustainable.”