When Rahama was first selected under URBANET Ghana’s Northern Ghana Integrated Development Project (NGIDP) more than five years ago, she had no idea how profoundly her journey would transform both her life and the lives of countless women farmers in her community. Living in Gushegu Municipal, she eagerly embraced the opportunity to become one of the first community-based female extension agents after completing URBANET’s training programs.
Since then, Rahama has become a trusted pillar in her community. Even when she paused briefly to pursue a diploma in education at the University for Development Studies (UDS), her passion to serve women farmers never diminished. Today, she is back on the field, continuing her mission as a Community-Based Extension Agent (CBEA) under URBANET’s GROWING Project.
In this role, Rahama delivers essential agricultural extension services—teaching women smallholder farmers about climate-smart and agroecological practices, sharing timely information on rainfall patterns, and guiding them on effective farm management techniques. Her years of service have earned her a reputation as an authority on sustainable farming, and many new farmers now rely on her mentorship to navigate their own agricultural journeys.
Rahama’s story embodies URBANET’s vision of sustainability. Our work extends beyond short-term interventions; we empower local champions to take ownership, ensuring that knowledge and practices endure long after projects are completed. Volunteers like Rahama become the first point of support in their communities, promoting resilience, participation, and shared growth.
And Rahama is not alone. Across URBANET’s zones of influence, many dedicated volunteers like her are helping to build stronger, more empowered communities, one leader, one farmer, and one field at a time.
During a recent visit to Gushegu, we observed farms thriving through practices such as intercropping, line planting, and enhanced farm hygiene. When asked about these changes, Rahama proudly shared:
“Line planting has always been our way of farming here. We also practice intercropping, not only because the crops benefit each other, but also as a form of insurance. If one crop fails, the other sustains us. I visit farms regularly, especially those owned by women, to ensure that good agronomic practices are followed. I also keep in touch with URBANET experts and project officers so that farmers and I remain updated and continue to benefit from new knowledge.”