The Financial Inclusion for Last Mile Actors (FILMA) Programme has announced an ambitious plan to create over 3 million dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for Ghanaian youth by 2030, with a deliberate focus on gender inclusion.
At least 70 percent of these opportunities will be reserved for young women marking a bold commitment to promoting equity and transforming the agricultural sector from the ground up.
Speaking at the 8th Agricultural Students’ Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp (AG-STUD), organized by Agrihouse Foundation, Mr. Joseph Boateng, Lead of the FILMA Programme, emphasized that the future of Ghana’s agricultural transformation lies in empowering the country’s youth, particularly those in rural communities.
He underscored FILMA’s belief that young people, when equipped with the right skills, tools, and resources, are capable of becoming the driving force behind sustainable change in agriculture.
“We cannot talk about national development without placing our youth especially young women at the centre of our strategy,” Mr. Boateng noted. “The FILMA Programme is not just about job creation. It’s about restoring dignity, building resilience, and reshaping rural economies to reflect the potential of their people.”
The FILMA Programme, which served as the official programme partner of this year’s AG-STUD Bootcamp, is designed to address systemic challenges faced by last-mile actors particularly those in underserved rural areas. These challenges include high youth unemployment, limited access to financial services, and a lack of targeted support for agricultural development. Young women and persons with disabilities are especially marginalized, often excluded from formal financial systems, vocational training, and meaningful market linkages.
To address these inequalities, FILMA is delivering a comprehensive package of interventions that span skill development, financial inclusion, and enterprise support. The programme is currently targeting 100,000 youth between the ages of 15 and 35 across 18 districts in Ghana’s Volta, Oti, Bono East, and Northern Regions. Of these, 80,000 will be supported into dignified employment, with persons with disabilities also prioritized under its inclusive framework.
Beyond employment creation, FILMA is working to create an enabling environment for sustainable growth across the agricultural value chain. The programme seeks to improve access to affordable and sustainable financial services, integrate last-mile actors into formal pension schemes, and expand access to micro-insurance products. It also aims to ensure fair pricing systems and boost market access for rural entrepreneurs,farmers, processors, traders, and aggregators alike.
He encouraged them not only to dream but to act,to build the future of Ghana’s agri-food sector with intention, innovation, and collaboration.
“This is your time,” he told the students. “You must be bold, you must be prepared, and you must understand the value of the work ahead. Agriculture is not just a job it is a mission to feed, to build, and to lead.”
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, expressed profound appreciation to FILMA for their invaluable support and collaboration.
“We are deeply grateful to the FILMA Programme for coming on board as our official programme partner for the 8th AG-STUD Bootcamp,” she said. “This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to equipping the next generation of agricultural leaders with the skills, networks, and financial tools they need to thrive. FILMA’s vision for inclusive growth aligns powerfully with the work we do at Agrihouse, and together, we are creating real change at the grassroots.”
She further noted that empowering young people especially young women and persons with disabilities must remain a top priority in Ghana’s drive toward agricultural sustainability and food security.
“This is how we build the future by investing in people, nurturing leadership, and connecting passion to opportunity,” she added.
The 8th AG-STUD Bootcamp,once again demonstrated the power of mentorship, leadership training, and industry exposure in shaping future leaders. The strategic partnership between Agrihouse Foundation and FILMA stands as a model of how development programmes and private-sector actors can collaborate to create scalable, people-centered impac