Women’s cooperatives in Ghana have risen as powerful vehicles for economic empowerment, and most importantly, poverty reduction. These cooperatives, which range from agriculture and handicrafts to financial services and entrepreneurship, provide women with opportunities to generate income, acquire skills, and achieve financial independence.
Join us as we delve into a comprehensive analysis of women’s cooperatives in Ghana, their impact, and how people can visit or connect with them.
Women’s Cooperatives in Ghana: Engines of Development
Women constitute about 50% of Ghana’s population and play a critical role in the informal economy. The role of Ghanaian women in society has been pivotal in shaping female empowerment through cooperative movements with profound implications for national development.
Their success goes way beyond individual members: stronger cooperatives mean healthier families, more resilient communities and accelerated national development.
Below, we take a look at four key types of women’s cooperatives in Ghana: agricultural, handicrafts, savings & credit, and trade & entrepreneurship, their achievements and how interested visitors or partners can connect with them.
We also discuss the broader enabling environment, challenges they confront, and ways to support their vital work.
1. Agricultural Cooperatives
Why they matter: Agriculture employs over 40 % of Ghana’s workforce, and women carry disproportionate responsibility for food production. Cooperatives boost productivity by facilitating bulk purchase of inputs, training in climate-smart methods and collective marketing.
| Cooperative | Location | Focus & Impact | Contact |
| Kuapa Kokoo | Kumasi, Ashanti | One of Ghana’s largest cocoa farmer co‑ops. Promotes fair‑trade certification, business and leadership training for women, and community development projects (schools, clinics). Recognized for raising member incomes by over 30 %. | +233 (0)3220 22230 · kuapakokoo.com |
| Savanna Women Farmers Association | Tamale, Northern | Supports female cereal and vegetable growers with seeds, extension services and collective sales. Implements group savings (“susu”) schemes. | +233 (0)208 404 400 |
| Maaltaaba Peasant Women Farmers | Northern Region | Specializes in climate‑resilient agriculture, agro‑processing and rights advocacy. Has reached 35 villages, improving yields and access to social services. | maaltaaba.org |
| Development Frontiers Women Cooperatives (DFWC) | East Gonja, Northern | Over 3,000 women processing shea and gari. Centralized nut aggregation has unlocked bulk contracts and doubled member incomes. | dwfcooperatives.org |
2. Handicraft & Artisan Cooperatives
Batik making
Why they matter: Handicrafts preserve cultural heritage while generating income—often from international fair‑trade channels. Cooperatives provide bulk raw materials, design support and market linkages.
- Bolgatanga Basket Weavers Cooperative (Bolgatanga – Upper East Region)
Hundreds of women hand‑weave iconic “Bolga” baskets. The co‑op arranges training in new designs and exports to Europe and North America. - Global Mamas (Cape Coast, Central Region)
Network of over 1,000 women producing batik textiles, jewelry and décor. Offers business training, design mentorship and direct access to global buyers.
Contact: +233 (0)3321 32787 · globalmamas.org
3. Savings & Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs)
Why they matter: Formal financial services often exclude women in rural and informal sectors. SACCOs provide a trusted, community‑based alternative for saving, borrowing and financial education.
- Ghana Co‑operative Credit Unions Association (CUA)
Umbrella body for over 200 credit unions. Has incubated thousands of women’s savings groups (“susu” clubs), enabling members to launch micro‐enterprises.
Contact: +233 (0)302 222 784 · cuagh.com - Advans Ghana Savings & Loans
Microfinance institution specializing in women‐owned small businesses, especially in agriculture and processing. Partners with NGOs to deliver financial‐literacy workshops.
Contact: +233 (0)302 738 708 · advansghana.com
4. Trade & Entrepreneurship Cooperatives
© USAID in Africa/Wikimedia – Public domain
Why they matter: Beyond primary production, cooperatives help women move up the value chain—creating branded products, packaging, marketing and accessing export markets.
- Pagsung Shea Butter Cooperative (Tamale)
Women‑led shea butter producers trained in sustainable harvesting, quality control and cosmetics packaging. Members have tripled their earnings by exporting to Europe.
Contact: +233 24 345 6789 · pagsung.com - Daboya Women’s Smock Weaving Cooperative (Northern Region)
Preserves traditional smock weaving while connecting artisans with Ghanaian fashion designers. Cooperative branding has spawned a local “Made‑in‑Ghana” label.
Contact: +233 (0)3720 22765
Enabling Environment & Challenges
Government & NGO Support:
- The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development provides training grants and infrastructure support.
- USAID, GIZ and local NGOs fund capacity‐building, market linkage and gender‐equity programs.
Key Challenges
- Access to Capital: High collateral requirements limit small‐scale loans.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Poor roads and storage facilities raise post‐harvest losses.
- Governance & Scale: Many co‑ops struggle with management skills, record‐keeping and statutory compliance.
Emerging Trends
- Digital Platforms: Mobile money and e‑commerce portals are opening new market channels.
- Climate Adaptation: Training in drought‑resistant crops and solar‐powered processing units.
- Youth Integration: Programs to involve younger women and men to ensure continuity.
How to Connect & Support Women’s Cooperatives in Ghana
- Fair‑Trade Shopping: Buy directly via cooperative websites or through certified outlets in Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.
- Volunteering & Internships: Organizations like Global Mamas welcome short‑term volunteers for skills transfer in design, marketing or accounting.
- Study & Tour Visits: Some cooperatives host educational tours—contact Kuapa Kokoo or Bolgatanga Basket Weavers to arrange a visit and learn firsthand.
- Donations & Partnerships: Contribute to NGOs working on women’s economic empowerment, or partner with SACCOs to extend micro‐credit and financial‐literacy training.
Women’s cooperatives in Ghana are much more than income‑generating groups; they are incubators of leadership, engines of social change and custodians of cultural heritage. Strengthening them—and supporting their journey toward sustainability—benefits not only the women involved but all of Ghana’s communities.
