admin | April 9, 2026
Radio Progress’ Kuora Tona (Farmers Benefit) has won the Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio 2026, recognizing its outstanding contribution to advancing women’s voices in agriculture.
Radio Progress is a community radio station based in Wa, in Ghana’s Upper West Region, with a broadcast reach of approximately 200 kilometres. Its flagship program, Kuora Tona, is a one-hour show dedicated to promoting and encouraging women, especially young women, to remain resilient in agriculture and agribusiness. The program addresses critical gender gaps in the sector, identifies practical solutions, and shares inspiring stories of women to challenge perceptions and foster inclusive development.
The team, led by Station Manager Samuel Mwinyorbu, includes host and producer Regina Asengmang Suwie, producer and presenter Leenat Abdul-Rahman, and technician Faaham Osman.
Reflecting on the program’s origins, Mrs. Suwie explains: “The idea for Kuora Tona came from listener feedback. During other programs, farmers would call in to ask why there were no dedicated discussions on agriculture. At the same time, we noticed that women rarely called in or participated.”
Through community engagement, the team discovered that many women were hesitant to speak publicly about their challenges. They also identified gaps in access to agricultural extension services, with some communities lacking direct support. In response, the team positioned radio as an extension tool, sharing practical farming information and connecting listeners with relevant stakeholders.
The name Kuora Tona was intentionally chosen to reflect community ownership and relatability. Designed as a gender-responsive program, it creates safe spaces for both women and men to discuss sensitive issues such as land ownership, decision-making, and traditional gender roles.
The program has already contributed to meaningful change. Mrs. Suwie shares the story of Mrs. Anambagne, a farmer from the Nauru community: “Previously, her husband controlled decisions about her farming activities. After listening to the program, she now makes her own decisions, choosing what crops to grow and actively participating in farmer groups.”
Today, Mrs. Anambagne serves as a group secretary and plays an active role in her community’s development. According to Mrs. Suwie, many women in the community now report increased respect within their families and greater involvement in decision-making processes.
To amplify women’s participation, the team has taken deliberate steps, including conducting more field interviews with women, creating supportive spaces for open dialogue, introducing a dedicated phone line for women, and encouraging male callers to involve their wives in discussions. These efforts have significantly increased women’s engagement and strengthened their presence in conversations affecting their livelihoods.
Looking ahead, the team aims to expand the program’s impact by improving market access for farmers, particularly women, enhancing value addition, and building partnerships to extend support to more communities.
The eighth edition of the Liz Hughes Award for Her Farm Radio received nominations from 12 countries. Participating radio stations submitted programs addressing key themes related to women’s well-being, including girls.