Sparking a new generation of agripreneurs for economic transformation in Ghana

In the heart of Accra, over 2,000 youth and industry leaders converged for the Ghana Youth Agriculture Summit at the University of Professional Studies on October 25, 2024, under the theme, "Transforming Agriculture for Sustainable Growth through Innovation, Empowering Youth, and Climate Action”. As the voices of passionate speakers filled the air, it became clear: the time to harness the potential of Ghana’s youth and drive economic transformation through agriculture is now.

Africa boasts the world’s youngest population, with the L’OCDE (Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques), projecting that by 2050, 85% of the increase in the global working-age population will occur on the continent. In Ghana, this demographic shift is especially noticeable, as the 2024 population projection by the Ghana Statistical Service estimates that 61% of the population is youth. This represents a significant opportunity for economic transformation through agriculture; key to addressing pressing challenges like food security, unemployment, and sustainability.

Recognizing the importance of engaging young people in agriculture, the summit aimed to inspire the youth to explore the sector’s vast opportunities. Erick Sile, Team Leader-West Africa, for the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) project, emphasised the need for young people to view agriculture as a profitable venture in order to fully tap into the sector's potential.

“Young people must see agriculture as a vibrant and lucrative business opportunity that offers not only innovation and economic growth but also the chance to drive change in food security, sustainability, and rural development. By embracing agriculture as a dynamic sector, they can unlock opportunities for entrepreneurship, create jobs, and contribute to the transformation of the economy”

In line with this goal, ABF introduced the Agribusiness e-Academy, which offers free, online courses designed to equip young agripreneurs with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the sector.

Prof. Irene Egyir, former Dean of the School of Agriculture at the University of Ghana, called on all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to act. She urged the government to implement youth-friendly agricultural policies and funding opportunities, encouraged private sector investment in agri-tech start-ups, and advocated for educational institutions to integrate modern agricultural practices into their curricula.  

The summit aimed to reshape the narrative around agriculture and empower the youth to pursue sustainable careers in agribusiness. The convener of the summit, Evans Kyere Mensah expressed his vision: "I see agriculture as the future of a nation and as a turnaround investment. By empowering the youth through agriculture, Ghana can boost local production, reduce food imports, and create a brighter future for its young population."

Student participants shared their key takeaways from the event.

“Young leaders and the youth are essential in advocating for policies that promote local food systems and equitable access to nutritious food, all geared towards addressing food security. There's a dire need to empower the current and next generation to lead the way in transforming agriculture by making it a more lucrative venture whilst nullifying the stigma associated with pursuing agriculture or its related programmes”. Isaac Ayensu -Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

“The event was enlightening, especially discovering 'Agribusiness e-Academy', a platform with free courses to enhance my knowledge and skills in agriculture.” Wealthy Nlenkiba - Ideal College, Kasoa.

The Ghana Youth Agricultural Summit was organized by AgricWealth with the financial support from ABF and Sustainable employment through Agribusiness in Ghana (AgriBiz), projects implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.