Hikers trek 900 km on fundraiser for Ghana's women farmers

Two local entrepreneurs are wrapping up their hike of the 900 kilometers on Bruce Trail.

Elaine Shantz and Miriam Turnbull took on the walk to support a local initiative that aims to help women farmers in Northern Ghana grow and have access to nutritious foods.

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"This project had a really key connection," Shantz told The Morning Edition's Craig Norris. "Because it's women who are supporting their families, women inspiring each other and women growing in their careers."

Greater Rural Opportunities for Women or GROW is an initiative of the Mennonite Economic Development Associates, that aims to empower Northern Ghanaian women farmers with the resources to provide for their families.

The project looks at helping these women increase their yields in soybean production, as well as generate income by selling the surplus soybeans.

"So it's both food security, but also income generation," says Helen Lofton, senior vice president of marketing and communications with MEDA.

GROW is a six-year project its fourth year, and has reached over 20,000 women in the area so far.