Flavia Zume with the Springboard Foundation has emphasized that the Ghana Grows Program is making significant strides in addressing the country’s unemployment challenges by encouraging young people to explore careers in agriculture and the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) sectors. She shared details about the program during an interview on A1 Radio, highlighting its goal of inspiring the youth to consider the agricultural sector as a viable and rewarding career path.
“The Ghana Grows Program is designed to draw the attention of Ghanaian youth to develop an interest in careers in the agriculture and ATVET sectors,” she stated.
Madam Zume explained that the program was developed in response to the high unemployment rate in the country, with the Mastercard Foundation and the Springboard Foundation identifying agriculture as a sector with immense job opportunities. By focusing on this sector, the Ghana Grows Program seeks to shift the mindset of the youth and cultivate a deeper interest in agriculture. “We believe that once we are able to instill that interest in Ghanaian youth, it will help reduce the rate of unemployment,” she added.
Through a series of training sessions and nurturing classes, the program prepares participants for the job market by equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in various areas of agriculture. In addition to skills training, the program offers personal development guidance and access to professional counselors. These support systems are designed to help participants develop both professionally and personally, ensuring a holistic approach to their growth.
“We offer training sessions to prepare young people for the job market. We also have a nurturing class where individuals are mentored and guided in developing their skills,” Madam Zume explained. “Additionally, we provide access to professional counselors. We now have a partnership with the Ghana Psychological Council, so once you are enrolled in the Ghana Grows Program, these are some of the benefits you stand to gain. We are looking to reiterate the importance of agriculture, particularly in changing the negative perception surrounding it.”
To further strengthen the sector’s appeal, she noted that the program also organizes initiatives like the Agro Fusion Festival and the Young Innovators Award, which aim to highlight the potential within the agricultural space and attract more youth. She explained that these events showcase the various facets of agriculture and emphasize that there are numerous opportunities beyond traditional farming, such as marketing, branding, and transportation.
She further indicated that the Ghana Grows Program is open to young people between the ages of 15 and 35, and registration is free. Interested participants can sign up through the program’s online registration portal or by completing an onboarding form. “If you want to be enrolled in the Ghana Grows Program, you just have to register with us, which is free,” she said.
Meanwhile, Madam Zume encouraged all young Ghanaians, especially those interested in starting small, to take advantage of the program. “I’d like to encourage every young Ghanaian out there to explore opportunities in the agricultural space. We have a saying that ‘there is money in the soil,’ and by that, we mean farming. You don’t necessarily have to start big—that’s always the misconception.” She added, “In fact, if you start small, you’ll be able to nurture your business properly, and with the needed support, you’ll be able to grow.”
She reiterated that agriculture offers numerous opportunities and that the industry’s value chain is vast, making it accessible to anyone willing to learn and grow. Whether through farming or other aspects like branding and marketing, there is something for everyone within the agricultural sector. “With agriculture, we are not only talking about farming. The value chains are enormous. We are talking about branding, marketing, transportation, and more. So whichever field of agriculture you want to enter, just identify it, start small, and by being part of the Ghana Grows Program, we’ll provide you with the support, training, and techniques you need to nurture your craft and grow,” she concluded.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
