Thanks to the GAWU union, there are fewer problems in the palm oil sector.

In the heart of Ghana's bustling palm oil sector, where the air is thick with the smell of processed palm kernels, 30-year-old Wawoe Francisca Afio maneuvers a truck through narrow factory streets.

Francisca is not just any truck driver and tractor operator; she is also a trained mechanic who defied all odds to become the best in her class. But behind the wheel, she is also a woman determined to challenge gender norms, working closely with the union to advocate for gender-aware and sensitive systems and structures for women in male-dominated industries.

Francisca Wawoe in her truck

Growing up as a street vendor
Francisca's story begins in Kpone Katamanso, where she spent her childhood among moving vehicles, selling fish and corn products to travelers. It was a world of survival, a daily hustle where she learned resilience early on. "I started vending when I was just four," Francisca recalls. "Selling on the streets was tough, and I wanted something better. But when I looked at the available jobs, I didn't find any that were challenging enough."
An advertisement in the newspaper changed her life. The Daily Graphic featured a vacancy from the Adidome Five Star Engineering Institute, calling for young women interested in operating tractors. "I saw the ad just in time; it was the last day for applications," she says. "Originally, they were only going to select 30 women, but I was lucky enough to be the 31st."

Breaking barriers in the classroom
Enrolling in the program was just the first hurdle. As a graduate of Junior High School (JHS) without a technical background, Francisca found herself alongside students with strong technical skills. "It was a struggle," she admits. "I loved agriculture because I grew up on farms, but I never liked math. Theory classes were a nightmare—I barely understood anything. Even my technical classmates found it hard. But during practical sessions, I thrived."
Her perseverance paid off. By the end of the program, she was not only the best among the female students but also outperformed many of the technical students.

Francisca ready for her daily work

In 2021, Francisca started working at the Ghana Oil Plantation Development Company Ltd (GOPDC) in Kwae, in the Eastern Region. As a mother of two, she shares the many challenges women face in her field. "Some of my female colleagues left because of health problems," she says. "Many suffered from irregular menstrual cycles, and some struggled with infertility. The work is physically demanding, and without vision and determination, you won't last. I've been doing this for seven years now, and no one can say they've done it without problems. But I keep driving."
Francisca acknowledges that various union activities, such as training on workplace safety and health, and promoting a violence-free workplace, have significantly contributed to reducing issues in the sector.

Fighting for better working conditions
Francisca's fight is not just personal; it represents the struggle of many women. The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU), which is active within the company, is well aware of the various issues women face on the plantation. According to the union's chairman, Opoku Adjei George, the union, with financial support from Mondiaal FNV, has conducted research, provided education and training, and launched awareness programs. The findings have been used in discussions with management, leading to gender-conscious policies and collective agreements to protect workers, especially women.
"We ensure that the company has policies that protect workers from abuse and unfavorable conditions," says George. "We have a whistleblower policy, policies against verbal abuse, and measures against sexual harassment." The union has also set up systems allowing workers to report cases of abuse.
Regarding protective gear, the GAWU chairman adds, "Every worker receives personal protective equipment (PPE), but some choose not to wear them. If you are caught without it, there are consequences." Similarly, GAWU has worked with the company to promote a gender-sensitive approach to occupational safety and health (OSH), including PPE suitable for both women and men, and addressing the gender impacts of plantation work.

Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion
Andoh Enyam Andrew, Community Relations Manager at the palm oil company GOPDC, emphasizes the company's commitment to gender integration. "Of our 4,000 employees, more than 40% are women, including women from surrounding communities, whom we provide opportunities to without discrimination," he says. "We believe in gender equality. As long as someone has the passion and drive, we assess and hire them, including people with disabilities."
Kwae's municipal councilor, Evans Azumah, appreciates GOPDC's efforts to employ most of the youth in various communities. "The communities can't thank GOPDC enough for employing at least 60 to 70% of the youth in the communities. This has significantly reduced social problems like teenage pregnancies," he explains.

A Call for Change
Francisca is determined to push for reforms across the entire sector. Together with the union and her colleagues, she has advocated for fair wages, mentorship programs, and policies ensuring that skilled women are not overlooked and are well-integrated. "Women in this sector work just as hard, if not harder, than men. We need gender-conscious and sensitive policies that reflect our value and reward our efforts," she states.
While she remains behind the wheel for now, Francisca's voice is growing louder. She not only drives trucks and tractors but also drives change. For women in technology, agriculture, and beyond, she has become a beacon of hope.

Text: Rosemond Akuorkor Adjetey
Photography: Mark Aduala