From Data Collector to Tomato Processor: How Abigail Bofah Turned Challenge into Opportunity
At 33 years old, Abigail Amoakowaa Bofah, a mother of two young children, is proving that motherhood and ambition can go hand in hand. Abigail lives in Techimantia, a town in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. She is steadily building a livelihood that reflects both her agricultural training and her determination to create a better future for her family.
Abigail Amoakowaa Bofah holds a bachelor’s degree in general agriculture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Accra, Ghana. After graduating three years ago, she worked as a data collector with the Nation Builders Corps, a jobs program from the Ghanaian government, as well as with an agriculture-focused government program. These roles gave her valuable field experience and insight into the challenges facing farmers.
Meet Abigail Amoakowaa: A Young Mother Building a Future in Agriculture
When she became a stay-at-home mother after her contract job as a data collector ended, Abigail faced the reality of balancing childcare responsibilities with the need to contribute to household income. Instead of seeing this as a setback, she decided to use the resources available to her to start something meaningful. That’s when she rediscovered her interest in tomato farming.
From Data Collection to Hands-On Farming: Lessons from the Field
Like many farmers in her community, Abigail grew tomatoes in her backyard using simple tools. However, during the harvest periods, many of her tomatoes would go to waste due to an oversupply in the area and the lack of a commercial or large-scale processing facility.
In May 2025, Abigail joined TechnoServe’s Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) program, where she learned improved methods for tomato processing. HAPPY is a four-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation, Agri-Impact Limited, and TechnoServe, aiming to create 326,000 dignified job opportunities for Ghanaian youth.
For Abigail, the training was a turning point. For the first time, she learned modern techniques for processing tomatoes into paste, puree, and other value-added products, using proper food safety and hygiene practices. She also received training on income diversification, leadership, and business skills. This gave her the confidence to begin exploring entrepreneurship from her own home.
Turning Tomatoes into Opportunity
Before the training, I never thought I could actually process tomatoes for sale. I used to help my mother with traditional preservation methods like boiling, but it was never enough to keep our tomatoes from spoiling and wasting. Now I can do so much more to prevent post-harvest loss of my tomatoes.” —Abigail Amoakowaa Bofah
After the training, Abigail wasted no time in applying her skills. She began producing small quantities of tomato paste at home, sharing some with friends and family and selling a few jars within her community. Although her initial production was modest, the positive feedback encouraged her to continue.
Alongside tomato processing, Abigail has also set up a backyard farm where she cultivates tomatoes, onions, and manages a small poultry unit. She plans to use the harvest from her farm to supply her processing activities, thus reducing her reliance on volatile market prices and ensuring a consistent supply of raw materials.
Recently, her efforts received a major boost when TechnoServe provided her with a tomato processing “starter pack” through the program. The package included equipment such as commercial blenders and other essential tools to support her production business. For Abigail, this was a validation of her vision.
“I am very grateful for this support,” she said. “It is a great booster for my business. With this equipment, I can expand my production, reduce waste, and improve my family’s livelihood.”
Helping Women Farmers Lead Change in Their Communities
Abigail’s story is one of resilience and resourcefulness. By combining her academic background with practical training and support, she is building a sustainable business right from her backyard. Her journey highlights how targeted training and starter resources can transform lives, especially for women who might otherwise be excluded from formal employment opportunities.
Through her efforts, Abigail is providing for her young children and showing that small beginnings can lead to lasting impact. Her story is just one among many women who now have the skills, tools, and confidence to turn challenges into opportunities.