KNUST E-Learning Centre hosts International Youth Day Celebration, advocates for youth investment in agricultural transformation

Calls for increased investment in Ghana's youth to enable them to realize their potential and drive national development have been made. This was the key message at an event held at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on International Youth Day, celebrated on August 12, 2024.

The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the role of youth in revolutionizing agriculture through digital innovations. Daniel Fahene Acquaye, the Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, talked about the need for investment in the youth during his speech at the celebration. He noted that such investments would empower the youth to make significant contributions to the country’s development.

 Speaking on the theme, "Revolutionizing Agriculture through Digital Innovations to Create Jobs for Youth," Mr. Acquaye highlighted the youth's potential as both the leaders of tomorrow and the change-makers of today. Mr. Acquaye urged the youth to seize opportunities in agriculture to improve their prospects, stressing that Ghana’s greatest resource is its youth. He pointed out that investing in their creativity, innovation, and resilience would lead to economic transformation. He encouraged the youth to pursue their passions, drive technology and innovation in agriculture, and contribute to the sector's transformation, which he believes is crucial for continental economic development.

The event also featured discussions on the Mastercard Foundation's HAPPY Program, a collaborative initiative with Agri-Impact Limited aimed at creating dignified jobs for 326,000 youth in Ghana’s agricultural sector. The program, which started in December 2023, has already created 50,000 jobs and contributed to the sale of over GHS 100 million worth of food. It is supported by eight partners, including NewAge Agric Solutions, National Service Scheme (NSS), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), TechnoServe, Ghana Cares (MiDA), Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and Jobberman. Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, commended Agri-Impact and the Mastercard Foundation for their youth-focused initiatives. She stressed the importance of addressing unemployment by focusing on the agricultural value chain and adopting digital innovations.

Prof. Dickson highlighted the potential of digital technologies to revitalize agriculture and make it an attractive sector for the youth. She encouraged the nurturing of school farms in Senior High Schools as a way to guide students in exploring their creativity and improving productivity. Nana Owusu-Achau, Chief Farmer at AgroKings and producer of Nana’s Rice, delivered the keynote address. He challenged the youth to take control of Ghana’s food systems, which he noted are currently dominated by foreign companies. He encouraged the youth to develop skills in agricultural engineering to address issues related to machinery repairs and maintenance. Nana Owusu-Achau emphasized the need for Ghanaians to take ownership of the agricultural sector and create sustainable solutions.

Nana Yaw Sarpong Otuo Siriboe I, Akyempimhene of the Juaben Traditional Area and 2022 National Best Farmer, also addressed the youth. He urged them to enter the agricultural sector to build sustainable livelihoods. Nana Siriboe shared his personal journey into agriculture, emphasizing that it offered him a sustainable way of living. He advised the youth to start small but think big, highlighting the opportunities in agriculture for achieving success.

In support of these initiatives, Prof. Nana Ewusi Mensah and the Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Prof Eric Appau Asante, have been actively involved in promoting the HAPPY Program. They have provided resources and platforms to support the program's implementation, ensuring that the youth have access to the necessary tools and training to succeed in the agricultural sector.

As Ghana celebrates International Youth Day, the call for increased investment in the youth serves as a reminder of the role they play in the nation’s future. Through programs like HAPPY and the collaborative efforts of institutions like KNUST, the youth are being equipped with the skills and opportunities needed to transform agriculture and drive economic growth.

Published: 25th August, 2024 Source: KNUST E-Learning Centre