Twenty-one young people have graduated from the Youth in Agriculture Employability Program organized by GrowAfrica for Me, with organizers saying the initiative is designed to turn Ghana’s unemployed youth into entrepreneurs in the agribusiness sector.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Executive Director of GrowAfrica for Me, Albert Shiebila Mali, said the program was created in response to the unemployment challenges facing young people.
“The Youth in Agriculture Employability Program is simply a program designed to bridge the gap between the potentials in agriculture or agribusiness and that of the youth,” he said.
Citing Ghana Statistical Service 2024 data, he noted that about 1.9 million youth are not in employment, education, or training.
“So what it means is that there are a lot of people there because they are not getting jobs, because they don’t have the relevant skills. That led to the design of the Youth in Agriculture Employability Program, where we bring youth, give them practical skills in agribusiness, so that when they get their skills, they are able to kick-start their enterprises,” Mr. Mali stated.
The program ran for one month, with sessions held twice a week for four weeks. Participants were trained in introductory agribusiness, opportunities in the agri-value chain, marketing of agri-products and services, and how to become investment-ready.
Mr. Mali said the training also addressed a common misconception that agriculture requires land and huge capital.
“The challenge has always been that when you mention agri to youth, they think it’s all about land and money. But the value chains are such that sometimes you can avoid aspects where you don’t need land. You can still be involved in agri activities, make money for yourself and your family, and build your community without necessarily having land,” he explained.
Other modules covered due diligence, funding documentation, negotiating and closing deals, and managing investor relationships.
According to Mr. Mali, the next phase is coaching and mentorship to provide hands-on support so graduates can physically start businesses.
“Our expectation is that all participants involved in this program are able to start something in the agri-value chain. We want to support them so that life will not remain the same. They can turn from job seekers to job creators,” he said.
He announced that 30 participants were initially onboarded, with 21 graduating at the ceremony.
Mr. Mali also disclosed two upcoming programs.
The first is training for 20 to 30 youth and women in tool bag production. He said the skill is less capital-intensive and has high market demand.
The second is training in digital satellite installation, aimed at equipping youth with skills to tap into the growing digital market.
“We believe that as a result of this, the dependency level and poverty level in this region will reduce. At the end of the day, they can make money for themselves, for their family, and society. Then our communities, the region, and Ghana as a whole will be a better place for everybody to live,” he concluded.
The graduation brought together trainees, facilitators, and stakeholders in agriculture and youth development.
Some of the participants who spoke to the media expressed excitement and confidence that the skills gained from the training will be life-changing for them. They said they are ready to apply what they have learned to start small enterprises and become self-reliant.
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