The High Commissioner of Canada to Ghana and Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Madam Kati Csaba, has noted that through the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), Global Affairs Canada is continuously empowering women and girls to promote peace, equity and social justice.
She said reducing global poverty and vulnerabilities is at the heart of the efforts of Global Affairs Canada; and particularly, empowering women to realize their rights and economic potentials, goes a long way to benefit the whole society, in terms of sustainability and peace.
“For this reason, in Ghana, among other things, our team supports activities such as: agriculture initiatives that support women farmer-based organizations in post-production and processing; economic empowerment initiatives that support young women in non-traditional trades to help break bias; and gender-equality specific programming that helps women and girls realize their full human rights.”
She noted in a press statement ahead of this year’s 4th Women in Food and Agriculture Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in the Soil Awards, annually organized by Agrihouse Foundation.
While praising Agrihouse Foundation and the forty-five (45) women farmers who have been nominated and documented for this year’s Gold in the Soil Awards, Madam Kati Csaba extended a special acknowledgement to the other seventeen (17) women farmers with disabilities, who will be receiving Honorary Awards, on Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 23, at the Akroma Plaza Hotel in the Western Region, Takoradi.
“I want to commend these impressive women for showing that living with a disability does not hold them back from achieving their full potentials. They have taken their destiny into their own hands and have excelled in their farming activities”
In line with the theme for this year’s two-day event, “AGRIWOMAN: RECOVER- GROW- STAND OUT,” she said Canada is looking forward to an event that would empower the women farmers to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, and grow to become more resilient to future shocks. “I would love to see agribusinesses led by Ghanaian women exporting their products beyond the shores of Ghana and earning higher incomes,” she added.
For her part, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa Sarpong, revealed, this year’s ‘Gold in the Soil Awards’ received a total of eight-two (82) nominations, from the Western and Western North region.
“Generally, we are satisfied with the balanced representation in the categories; as well as the number of women farmers and Agribusinesses represented in this year’s nominations,” Ms. Akosa Sarpong said.
She said Day one of the two-day event would consist of capacity-building, mentorship, training and empowerment sessions, which would be facilitated by resources people selected from this year’s list of sponsors and collaborating organization.
Resource persons from MAG-Canada will be leading a capacity-building session on the topic, “Agri-woman lifestyle, Total Wellbeing and brand building.” They will also lead one on on mentorship sessions on self-presentation and positive mental health – how agriwomen can make the most of mental health tips to enhance their personal growth and family life
Day two, which is the “Gold in the Soil Awards,” the event will Taward deserving small-scale women farmer who are thriving exceptionally with Gold in the Soil Awards. The awards, listed under fifteen categories include: Super Woman Farmer Award, She-Innovates Award, C-limate-Smart Women Project Award, The Change Champion Award, Lady of The Region Export Award, Development Partner Award, Princess Carla Award, She-Operates Award, Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award, Star Woman Agripreneur Award (Woman Agripreneur Award), Royal Agro Award, Diamond in the Rough Award, Feed to Food Awards – (Poultry, Livestock & Fisheries) and the ultimate, Gold in the Soil Award.
About WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards
Annually, the WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards moves from region to region, with the aim of empowering and celebrating the exceptional efforts of women in agriculture across the Regions.
In the past three (3) years, the two-part event has been held in the Volta Region, Ashanti Region, Upper East and West Regions. While the Women in Food and Agriculture Leadership Training Forum has developed and strengthened the capacities of over 2000 women in Agribusiness, by exposing them to more innovative approaches of handling their agribusinesses; the Gold in the Soil Awards has received about 638 entries, and awarded 45 agriwomen under the various categories.
The event also brings together stakeholders in government, policy and administration, development-partner organisations, Research, FBOs, Agric institutions, and resource persons, who support in the capacity building, training and mentorship sessions. The trainers and mentors empower the women with business knowledge and industry innovations, to help women excel in the sector.
This year, Global Affairs Canada, YARA, RDF Ghana, ABSA, OCP AFRICA, and Fidelity Bank are corporate sponsors the event.
Collaborating Institution include the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD), the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG) and the Western Regional Coordinating Council.
The second phase of 1 Household-1 Garden Initiative is targeting households and schools interested to be part of a backyard – sized agricultural operation in 17 selected districts in the Northern Region, North East and Upper West Regions. The purpose of this project is to ensure the resilience of households to the shocks and stresses caused by climate change to food systems by diversifying their focus commodities to include vegetables to improve their nutrition. The project also serves as a COVID-19 response strategy to enhance Household Food Security and improve livelihoods. Eligible candidates include all domiciled in the Districts below and able to utilize their available backyard space for this purpose.
1. Daffiama Bussie Issa 2. Nadowli 3. Sissala East 4. Sissala West 5. Wa East 6. East Mamprusi 7. Mamprugu Moagduri 8. Mion 9. Sagnarigu 10. Nanton 11. Gushegu 12. Karaga 13. Yendi Municipal
This initiative, guided by AGRA, Agrihouse Foundation and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture concentrates on food production to prepare, mitigate and respond to and recover from the COVID19 pandemic with special emphasis on national food security. It sets out to support and enhance efforts in the area of job creation and building the capacity of the youth, who are eager to support in setting up these farms in homes across the aforementioned Districts.
The project seeks to create further jobs and support the livelihoods of carpenters, masons and, possibly, some unemployed engineering graduates, who will be most relevant in the implementation of this national home garden project. Nutrition wise, the program seeks to put fresh nutritious produce closer to homes.
We believe, this will further boost efforts of Government, Development Partners and Private sector players to achieve a Ghana beyond food aid.
(Any area of land adjacent or attached to the current dwelling premises of the respondent is considered as a backyard garden. It consists of a potential cultivable area up to a maximum of 1/16th of an acre, equivalent to 2723-3000 square feet of land.) NB: Persons who show innovative techniques with regards to limited land space i.e. Sacks, arcade, container, rooftop garden systems, window box, wood, bricks, clay and cement garden systems are encouraged to sign up
Esi Akyere is eyeing the Diamond in the Rough Award and she believes strongly that she going to win it. Her 50-acre farm consist of cocoa, plantain, palm nut, yam, cocoyam, rice, maize, coconut, tomatoes, groundnut, rubber, goat, sheep and poultry.
She- Innovates
Matcom Company – Yaa Sosu
62 year old Maa Yaa, stepped Up her Farm-game, from, being only a cassava farmer, to establishing a mini Gari Processing factory, in her community! Maa Yaa has through this created employment for over 15 young men in the community and over 25 young ladies who now serve as distributors! Maa Yaa’s Agribusiness Journey, of bringing hope and creating employment, has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY!
Climate Smart Women Project Award
Mary Perpetua Kwakuyi
Mary is an inspiration! Besides being a crop and vegetable Farmer, Mary has gone beyond to establish a Demonstration Centre in Ekma, Western Region, where she trains the youth in her community and other beginner Agribusinesses, on adopting climate smart strategies and approaches in farming.. Over 10,000 people have benefited from Mary’s weekly training sessions. Mary’s journey to becoming a Climate Smart Agriculture advocate and a farmer has been captured in the Gold in the Soil Awards Documentary!
Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award
Eva Adu
Eva’s passion and commitment towards women empowerment is palpable and evident in the ways she innovates and organizes training and capacity-building progams for the agriwomen she works with. As an Extension Service Officer, she goes beyond her expected responsibilities and shows up for her women farmers in tremendous ways, in spite of challenges. She shares her inspiring story in her Gold in the Soil Awards Documentary.
The Super Woman Farmer Award
Rebbecca Aidoo
52 year old, visually impaired Madam Rebecca’s strength and zeal, inspires us all! A maize, Cocoa and Plantain farmer, her ability to cultivate over 10 acres, with ease, needs to be studied and adopted! She will be receiving a ‘Special SuperWoman Award’, under the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARD Category. Her story has been captured in the Gold in the Soil documentary, on how she is enabling and supporting young women in her community, to adopt best practices, to be sustainable Farmers!
2. Joyce Asante
100% visually impaired Aunty Joyce’s farming strategies needs to be studied in Harvard, and her successes she has chalked as a Cocoa, cassava and maize farmer, needs tp be celebrated! She is a role model to women with disabilities in her community,many of whom have ventured into farming because of her. Her ‘strong-willed’ personality and how she is contributing to sustainable farming, has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY!
3. Joyce Quarteng
Madam Joyce found peace and happiness in the Soil, after she lost one of her legs!. She went into the nursing and sales of Cocoa seedlings, and gradually became a Cocoa farmer! Her journey, on how she balances her work, as a woman farmer with disability, has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY.
4. Rose Mensah
Madam Rose found peace and happiness in the Soil, after she lost one of her legs!. She went into the nursing and sales of Cocoa seedlings, and gradually became a Cocoa farmer! Her journey, on how she balances her work, as a woman farmer with disability, has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY.
5. Joyce Agyei Sakyiwaa
Auntie Joyce, as she is affectionately called describes agriculture as her lifesaver, in a society where most people with disability are stripped of their dignity. She says farming gives her hope because her efforts provide her income and has helped her establish a life she is proud of. In her GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS Documentary, she shares her successes, challenges and the need for more support for persons with disability.
6. Ophelia Ackah
Madam Ophelia owns 4 acres of Cocoa and palm nut farm. She recently expanded her business to include an oil processing factory, which is doing very well. She has been able to provide jobs for young people in her community. Her abilities, beyond her disabilities, as a woman farmer, has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY.
Star Woman Agripreneur Award
Rosemond Afua Afful
Rosemond’s zeal to ensure, she eliminates post losses, has led her to consciously grow a strong market network system, for her vegetables! She cultivates over 15 acres of vegetables, which she supplies to shops and malls within and outside the Western Region! Her determination to meet quality standards has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY!
Royal Agro Award
Ekua Badu
From Wasa Angu, in the Western Region, kindly meet the “ever-smily” 74years old Farmer and Queenmother; growing maize, Cocoa, yam and vegetables. Madam Ekua has been nominated for the ROYAL AGRO Award Category, under the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS! Her story of resilience and hope food security, has been captured in the Gold in the Soil documentary. Her passion for growth and her influence as a Royal, is encouraging young women around her to embrace sustainable farming.
Diamond in the Rough Award
Abena Asantewaa
Abena Asantewaa is truly a diamond in the rough who continues to shine on as a woman in agriculture. Residing in Akutuase in the Western region, the tenacious farmer cultivates a 22-acre farm of coco, plantain, garden eggs, tomatoes, maize, pepper, yam and cocoyam. She believes she the best person to win the Diamond in the Rough Award, and she shares why in her Documentary.
Feed to Food Awards
Edna Ama Mensah
Edna is a bold and beautiful Poultry Farmer, in the Western Region, with 1000s of broilers & layers! Her journey to becoming a Poultry Farmer is an amazing one! She is a born fighter and happy to be nominated for the FEED TO FOOD AWARD, under the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS CATEGORY! Her extraordinary story, has been documented, to be shared with you soon, to inspire, motivate & support tell the story of how our women farmers are growing community Agriculture.
The Change Champion Award
Marian Ofori Twumasi
Marian is a young rear visionary. Her dedication and passion for agribusiness permeates in everything she has been able to achieve since she venture into the sector, as a university student. Now at 34 years old, she runs a 200 acre farm consisting of an Oil palm plantation, cocoa plantation, coconut farm, maize farm, rice farm, cassava farm, plantain farm, and bee hives. The rest are palm oil processing, poultry feed processing, poultry farm, cattle farm, fish farm, snail farm, poultry feed shop, transportation, aggregation, tomatoes farm, citronella farm, 11 permanent employees, 100’s of casual workers. She truly an inspiration and great support to hundreds of young women in her community, in the Sefwi Nkronua Atifi district of the Western –North Region. Her story has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY!
Lady of the Region Export Award
Georgina Filson
Georgina Filson is soaring high as an agriwoman processor and exporter. Started with only a dream and courage, her commitment to her venture is now yielding incredible results and winning her awards. She shares her amazing journey with Agrihouse in her GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS Documentary.
Development Partner Award
Princess Carla Award
Monica Nwiah
Talk of a community female superhero in Dompim community, and all hands will point to Aunt Monica. When her community needed part of her strategically located farmland, for a school project, she willingly donated part of the land to them and her effort, has earned the community, the Dompin 1 primary & JSS, getting more and more young people, to be enrolled in school. She presently owns 32 acres of maize, plantain, cassava, yam, coconut and coco yam. She also has a goat, sheep and Poultry farm. She has supported a number of youth to venture into farming, by providing them with Seeds and Soft loans. Her impactful story, of how is she making her community happy, and transforming livelihoods, has been captured in the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS DOCUMENTARY.
Gold in the soil Award
Evelyn Andoh
Evelyn continuously shoots for the stars because she believes women can rise above societal limitations. And every day she demonstrates that on her 128-acre farmer, cultivating crops like cocoa, plantain, rice, maize, palm nut, yam, and cocoyam, in addition to goats, sheep, and poultry. She is eyeing the ultimate Gold in the Soil Award, and in her Documentary she share with Agrihouse why she is deserving of the recognition.
Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa Sarpong has noted that, this year’s Gold in the Soil Awards, has for the 1st time in four (4) years, received over 17 entries from women with disabilities, primarily from the Western and Western North Regions of Ghana.
Ms. Akosa Sarpong made this revelation at a Press Launch of the 4th women in Food and Agric leadership Training Forum and the Gold in the Soil Awards, held yesterday, at the Office of the Western Regional Minister, in the Western Region.
According to her, this is very positive and represents our efforts over past 3 years, to encourage and push for an all-inclusive approach, to build and inspire more women farmers with disabilities come out and be at the frontline, in building community agriculture.
In total, 82 entries have been received for the 16 categories, under the Gold in the Soil Awards, which is slated to hold on the 22nd and 23rd of June, 2022 at the Akroma Plaza Hotel, in Takoradi.
The Passion for Farm category, which goes to a woman excited and passionate about agribusiness and contributing to the growth of her community, received 17% of the total entries. Majority of the women who submitted entries for this very category are women farmers, in Sefwi Wiawso, Amenfi West, Jomoro Municipal, Wasa East, Shama Essumankrom, and Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal. They fall within ages 20 to 60 and cultivating a farmland of between 5arces to 35 acres.
The Foundation, she said, will also be paying close attention to women operating in the areas of climate smart farming, (CLIMATE SMART CATEGORY), the Lady of the Region Export Award Category and the “She-Operator Award Category”, which has over the years received the lowest entries, with only 2.5% of total women submitting entries this year.
This is an indication that, there is more room for improvement and some more work to do, and as a Foundation, we are looking forward to working, more closely with both the Private and Public institutions, development Partners and related agencies, to upgrade knowledge of women in agriculture, to enhance productivity, growth and expansion.
The remaining award categories, including Royal Agro Award, She Innovates, Outstanding Women in Extension Services, and Diamond in the rough Award, all received encouraging entries, between 10 to 18% nominations.
The Feed to Foods Awards, Star Woman Agripreneur Award, Princess Carla and Change Champion Award, all pulled off average numbers, between 8 to 10% nominations.
“Generally, we are satisfied with the balanced representation in the remaining categories; as well as the number of women farmers and Agribusinesses represented in this year’s nominations,” Ms. Akosa Sarpong said.
The ultimate Award, The Gold in the Soil Award received strong seven nominations, including 2 from women farmers with disabilities. Over the last 3 years, the Award has been given to an outstanding woman in agriculture, producing along the entire agricultural value chain, from production through to processing, branding and marketing, among others. Importantly, her agribusiness should be making recognizable impacts on her community.
Last year Madam Portia Asumda, from Zangeyire in the Upper East Region won the category. She has been farming for the past eight years.
She is into shea-processing and crop production, and rearing of livestock. She works with over about two thousand agri-women across upper-east, west and the Tansi district. Under her leadership and coordination, they are able to process their sheabutter, which for some years now; they have had opportunity to start exporting to countries like the USA and Canada.
As the ultimate winner, Portia Asumda, took home a brand new tricycle, with support from the Canadian Embassy, to aid with transportation. She also received a Gold in the Soil Award plague, fertilizer bags provided by Yara Ghana, an irrigation pump, provided by Interplast and Peg Solar. She received a certificate of honor, a full piece of cloth and branded T-shirts from all the sponsors of the event.
For his part, the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, in a speech read on his behalf praised Agrihouse Foundation for instituting the WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards, which he described a laudable initiative.
He said the Western region was ready to host the main two-day event, come 22nd and 23rd June, and further explore the partnership and networking opportunities the event has to offer the women farmers of both the Western and Western-North region.
Annually, the Gold in the Soil Awards moves from region to region, with the aim of celebrating, empowering, building data of women in agric, across the Regions, mentoring and increasing the participation of women in agribusiness. The award scheme has over the years, recognized the efforts of exceptional agriwomen whose contributions are significantly influencing the growth and sustainability of the country’s agricultural sector.
Their inspiring stories are featured in a documentary series produced by Agrihouse Foundation, to serve as motivation and encouragement for other women who desire to venture into the sector.
In the last 3 years, the event has been held in the Volta Region, Ashanti Region, Upper East and West Regions. About 638 women have submitted entries, with 45 of them, receiving Awards under the various categories
The Gold in the Soil Awards is also part of the Women in Food and Agriculture Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC). The two-part event, since inception, has brought together, over 2000 women in agriculture, and stakeholders in government, policy and administration, development-partner organisations, Research, FBOs, Agric institutions, and resource persons, who support in the capacity building, training and mentorship sessions.
In the past three years, WOFAGRIC and the GOLD in the Soil Awards has developed and strengthened women in Agribusiness and exposed them to different and more recent approaches in handling their agribusinesses. It has nurtured and recognized the agribusiness community, where the sharing of business knowledge and industry innovations is at the forefront of helping women excel in the sector.
RDF Ghana, YARA, Fidelity Bank, ABSA Bank and Global Affairs Canada are corporate sponsors this year’s event.
Collaborating Institution include the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) and the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG) and the Western Regional Coordinating Council.
Highlighting major challenges that face agribusiness students, some beneficiaries of this year’s 5th Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp (AG-STUD-AFRICA) Bootcamp, have further used the opportunity to call on their teachers and colleagues to stop diminishing and undervaluing their choice to pursue agric as an academic program.
H. E the Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia
The students made the passionate plea last week Friday, at the closing event of the annual 5-day capacity-building Bootcamp, organized by Agrihouse Foundation. The event, which attracted the attention of H.E the Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, also brought together over three hundred (300) participants, including seventy (70) agri-students and beginner agribusinesses, from twenty-one (21) agric colleges and institutions across the country, as well as, resources persons from the fields of academia, government, agric institutions, policymakers, and public and private sector executives.
During the ‘Agribusiness Plan Presentation,’ which forms a major part of the bootcamp, the student’s revealed instances of when their teachers and peers have insulted and ridiculed them for choosing to study agriculture. Danquah Newton Kelly, a second year agricultural science student of Accra Academy High School noted that, “On my first day at school, a teacher impolitely asked me why I have chosen to study agriculture. The way he asked the question, really dampened my spirit,” he said, “so I went back home and told my mother I didn’t want to pursue agriculture. I wanted to become a General science student.”
According to him and his colleagues, some teachers come to class and condescendingly, compare them to their peers pursuing General Science, and even tell them that, they would never be as intelligent as General Science students.
Although these comments have no scientific bases, the students say that continuously being at the receiving end, dampens their enthusiasm as students pursuing agriculture, and they want it to stop, “We want our teachers, general science and art students to know that without agric nothing is possible now. Wealth is now in the dirt,” they proclaimed.
Their words received rousing applause from their friends and resource persons who were present. Some tears were even shed, and consequently, the mentors, trainers and coaches who had been with them throughout the five days; guiding their efforts, as well as teaching inspiring them, used the opportunity to drum home more words of empowerment.
Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings
For her part, the Member of Parliament for the Korle-Klottey Constituency, and Patron of the AG-STUD Bootcamp, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, urged the agric-students and beginner agribusinesses to continue courageously on their chosen path and be assured of consistent and sustainable support from all stakeholders. “I cannot imagine why anyone will possibly think of demeaning agric as a subject. Everyone needs food and agric is the basis of that. It is the science behind the production of any kind of food. Anyone who does not understand the value of agric to human existence, does not understand why we are here. So be assured, you are in the right path,” she said.
To buttress her point, the Member of Parliament donated three new laptops to the Bootcamp, which she hoped would help the participants execute their tasks and assignments during the period. She encouraged the agri-students to work together, and have the confidence they are making a difference as young agripreneurs.
“I am encouraged by the fact that we have two secondary schools here. Do not let anyone discourage you. Bear in mind, you have heavyweights in this room and some who are not here but have been with you throughout the sessions, who understand your value and are willing to invest in you. Every time you feel like you are struggling, just look around, reach out, you are not alone. We are here for you,” she encouraged.
For his part, the Country Manager of OCP Africa said encouraged the students to hit the ground running with their agribusiness ideas as they went back to their campuses. “You are not going back the same as you came. As you go back to school, you should be different from your colleagues. You should standout out, because you are going back as potential agripreneurs,” he stressed.
He said OCP would continue to offer support to the Bootcamp, to ensure its scale-up and further impacts. In the past five years, OCP Africa has been sponsors of the annual AG-STUD-Bootcamp, providing financial and technical support that have helped to empower, equip, scale-up and build the capacity of over 1,200 participants. Annual Campers have been beneficiaries of free bags of fertilizers, mentorship, agronomic services, and soil testing services.
For his part the CEO of MyBarnes Limited, Mr. Kenneth Barnes, underscored the need for perseverance and courage in the face of challenges and discouragements. He said, “You will face challenges in this sector, but the burning desire will help you overcome them. At MyBarnes we have had our share of difficulties, but we continue to build on our interest and speed. I will encourage you to do the same; if you have passion, faith and a burning desire to achieve, you will overcome the challenges.”
In a short address read on his behalf the Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank, Dr. John Kofi Mensah described investing in agriculture as a game-changer, and therefore commended the agric-students for choosing to build a life and make a live as agric value chain actors. He added, “ADB is proud to be associated with the Agrihouse brand, and we are committed to deepen our involvement in your programs in future. ADB and Agrihouse share a common noble vision, which is to promote and take agribusiness to the next level. Our continuous support for agrihouse activities is borne out of the fact that Agrihouse serves as a complement to the role ADB is playing in the agric space. With this great partnership and collaboration, underpinned by unity of purpose, ADB and Agrihouse will push the agribusiness agenda to assume its rightful place in the national discourse”
Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Sarpong, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation
The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa Sarpong, brought the 5-day Bootcamp to a close by expressing gratitude to all sponsors and collaborating institutions of this year’s event. Sponsors including, Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), OCP, Broadspectrum, Nanam Ventures, Bdiet, Kofi Venyo and Demeter. Collaborating Institutions are the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG); and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
She also expressed gratitude to all resources persons who served the vision of the Bootcamp in the capacities of mentors, trainers, coaches and speakers. She also used the opportunity to encourage the students to remain focused and determined as they worked towards building sustainable careers within the agric value chain. She urged them to make the most of the practical lessons they have received, as well as the inceptives and support packages the bootcamp has afforded them.
About 5th AG-STUD Bootcamp
This year, the 70 students-campers are from University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast, All Nations University, Ghana Christian University College, Methodist University, University of Energy and Natural resources, University for Development Studies, GH Media School, and Landmark University- Nigeria.
Others include, Fair River Agric Institute, Labone Senior High School, O’Reilly Senior High School, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Accra Girls Senior High School, Accra Academy High School, Ashesi University, and Adidome Agric Institute.
The rest are Asuansi Farm Institute, Damango Agric College, Ejura Agric College, Kwadaso Agric College, Wenchi Farm Institute, Ohawu Agric College, Veterinary College, Northern Youth Hub, Ashaiman Senior High School, Ngleshi Amanfro Senior High School, and Animal Health Institute.
The five (5) day Bootcamp, allows the students to work in teams to develop their art of public speaking, negotiating abilities and presentation skills. The activities further enable them to explore their creative and wear their innovative hats, which is expected to assist them identify challenges and propose solutions, in line with the overall Theme AG-STUD.
For the 5-day period, a number of mentors, coaches, speakers and trainers from various organizations, including ADB, OCP, MOFA, GIPC, FDA, Nanam Ventures, Mobraz, HD+ , Sonal Global, Kofi Venyo, Bdiet and NPRA among others, equip, coach, train and guide the campers through thematic focuses on Communication, E-Agric, and Food Safety Management principles. Others topics include how to attractive limitless investment Agric opportunities, digital marketing, financial proposal development, Do’s and Dont’s in building an Agribusiness and saving the agri-future through talents and creativity and many more.
