TAMALE: The Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), has called upon the government to adopt inclusive, gender-responsive, and transformative agricultural policies to enhance food security across the nation. Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, emphasized that policies promoting good food for all, as well as the justice and economic security of women in agriculture, should transition from being merely inspirational to achievable, ensuring a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector. According to Ghana News Agency, Hajia Sagito-Saeed addressed women in northern Ghana at a forum held in Tamale, marking the International Day of Rural Women. This day, instituted by the United Nations General Assembly, acknowledges the significant role and contributions of rural women, including indigenous women, in advancing agricultural and rural development, enhancing food security, and eradicating rural poverty. The event was organized by SWIDA-Ghana in collaboration with Tiyumba Hope Foundation and other partners, with funding from the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) under the Advocacy Actions for Women Economic Security and Justice in Agricultural Activities in Northern Ghana project. Celebrated locally under the theme, 'Good Food for All: The Role of Agricultural Policy,' the event drew approximately 150 women. Discussions centered on how sustainable agricultural policies could bolster the resilience of rural women farmers in the sector. Hajia Sagito-Saeed highlighted the recognition of the invaluable contributions of women in rural communities, particularly in agriculture. She noted that rural women in Ghana and across Africa are pivotal in agriculture, producing up to 80 percent of the food consumed, yet they face limited access to land, credit facilities, training, and markets. Agricultural policies, she stressed, must be inclusive and equitable to address these barriers and equip rural women with the necessary tools, resour ces, and opportunities to succeed. Madam Cynthia Koray Nagali, an Officer from the Nanton District Department of Agriculture, Northern Region, praised women for their significant contributions to the sustainable growth of the agricultural value chain in the country. She encouraged more women to enter the sector to create additional employment opportunities for other women, thereby reducing issues of domestic violence often linked to poverty and deprivation. Additionally, she called upon traditional authorities to support women in agriculture by providing them with fertile lands for productive farming activities. Madam Fadila Fuseini, Executive Director of Tiyumba Hope Foundation, emphasized the need for investment in training and capacity building for women in rural communities, equipping them with emerging farming techniques essential for achieving high crop yields. As part of the celebrations, SWIDA-Ghana conducted awareness activities on breast cancer and offered free breast screenings. Madam Azika Abudu , a midwife and breast cancer survivor, educated participants on the importance of regular breast screening, asserting it aids in the early detection of signs and symptoms of breast cancer for prompt medical intervention.