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Youth urged to venture into agriculture for sustainable income
An agribusiness conference to expose young people to job opportunities that exist in the agricultural sector has been held in Accra under the auspices of the Master Card Foundation.
It was held in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited and the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) on the theme “Empowering Agrofuture Entrepreneurs.”
The conference was simultaneously held at the Universities of Ghana and Professional Studies, Accra and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and targeted young people from the age of 15 -35 years.
In an address, Abraham Safo, a Value Chain Enterprise Development Specialist for the programme, said it was important to rope in the young ones at the university, particularly those pursuing Masters programmes to understand the opportunities in the agricultural space.
According to him, this would set their minds right from the onset and disabuse their minds that agriculture was synonymous to the traditional cutlass and hoe farming full of drudgery, stating that job opportunities in crop insurance, banking, credit management, marketing amongst others exist in the agric ecosystem.
With a target of 330,000 jobs along four agricultural value chains in the areas of rice, tomatoes, poultry and soya bean, Mr Safo said the initiative would help elevate the subject of agriculture to the forefront of national discourse and expose young people to the opportunities therein.
He said Agri-Impact extends support to young entrepreneurs in agriculture through capacity building training, adding that support was also extended to young entrepreneurs in the form of starter- packs, access to land, facilitating access to land, among others.
He called on the youth to see agriculture as a business and profitable venture out of which they could make a sustainable living.
On his part, Emmanuel Owusu, GRASAG National President, said the programme was organised to expose members to the opportunities within the agricultural value chain.
Urging the youth to take advantage of the programme, Mr Owusu said with the advent of modern technology, agriculture has taken on a new dimension which does not necessitate being on the farm to till the land.
“We want our members to know that, it was not a case of always doing an office or corporate job but you could venture into agriculture and earn sustainable income,” he said.
A chief farmer, Nana Owusu- Achiaw, said to overcome the challenge of reducing purchasing power, young entrepreneurs should understand where the bulk of money goes in the scheme of things.
He urged participants to apply the FIST principle which deals with using technology for farming purposes, rendering services in the value chain, engaging in farm and food business among others.
By Norman Cooper
News
Govt urged to provide safe, supportive environment for menstruating girls
The government has been urged to take urgent steps toward providing a safe and supportive environment for menstruating girls to ensure proper personal hygiene and promote school attendance.
Sarah Nkansah Boateng, a midwife at the Eastern Regional Hospital made the call during a forum organised as part of activities to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The event was held under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
She noted that many girls skip school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and appropriate spaces to change them.
“The basic necessities for these girls are not being provided; creating a safe and enabling environment is crucial,” Madam Boateng emphasized.
She called on school authorities and policymakers to prioritise the construction of hygienic and private changing spaces in schools.
She further appealed for a collective effort to address menstrual health challenges affecting girls in the community.
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of Health Services, Nana Yaa Konadu, also highlighted her office’s initiatives in both school-based and community clinics to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, saying, “When girls lack access to sanitary pads and a clean environment, it can negatively impact their reproductive health.”
Madam Konadu warned that the absence of menstrual hygiene facilities and products left some girls vulnerable to exploitation, increasing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North, Mr Samuel Adongo, described menstruation as a natural biological process and not a taboo or burden.
He expressed concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities in schools.
“I have visited almost all public schools in the municipality, and none has a proper, standard toilet facility suitable for girls,” he stated.
Mr Adongo assured that the assembly would work to create an enabling environment to reduce school absenteeism related to menstruation.
“Too many girls are missing school because of their menstrual cycle, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
News
Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
