News
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
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
