By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, June 18, GNA – Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director of Agrihouse FOUNDATION, says the Ag-Stud Bootcamp would position the youth for the government’s “Feed Ghana” initiative.
She said empowering agricultural students through targeted mentorship, capacity building and industry exposure was critical to ensuring sustainable agribusiness development and national food security.
Madam Akosa made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Ag-Stud Africa Bootcamp, held in Accra, which has brought together about 120 students from agricultural institutions and universities across the country.
The Ag-Stud Bootcamp, now in its ninth edition, serves as a career guidance and mentorship dialogue platform designed to enable and establish young people in agriculture by equipping them with practical skills and industry knowledge.
The week-long programme includes corporate mentorship sessions, field visits to agribusiness establishments, and practical exposure to agricultural value chains. Participants will undertake an “agri-voyage” to a cassava processing company and large-scale farm to experience production, processing and marketing processes.
Madam Akosa explained that this year’s programme was deliberately aligned with key national agricultural policies, including the Feed Ghana initiative and the Farmers Service Centres concept being championed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
“We are looking at how the youth can contribute meaningfully to national programmes. This year, we are challenging the students to develop practical solutions and recommendations on how the Farmers Service Centres can be effectively implemented and sustained,” she stated.
She noted that although conversations around agricultural policy had intensified, the role of the youth had not been adequately integrated, hence the need to create platforms that amplify their voices.
As part of the Bootcamp, participating students will at the end of the programme, present policy proposals to officials of the Ministry, including coordinators of the Feed Ghana initiative and the Farmers Service Centres.
Madam Akosa expressed optimism that the recommendations from the students would influence policy direction and ensure greater youth inclusion in the agricultural value chain.
“This is the first time we are asking students to provide structured solutions directly to government. We believe their ideas, if taken seriously, can contribute significantly to shaping the future of agriculture in Ghana,” she added.
The Bootcamp also brings together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, aimed at bridging the gap between academic training and industry realities.
Representing the private sector, Ms. Andrea Akl, the Deputy General Manager of Qualiplast Limited, underscored the importance of investing in students as the next generation of agricultural professionals.
According to Ms. Akl, partnerships between industry and educational institutions were essential to nurturing innovative ideas and transforming them into viable agribusiness ventures.
“Agriculture is a key sector in Ghana, and it is important that we start from the students, who are the future experts. Platforms like this allow them to connect, learn from industry players, and refine their ideas to meet market needs,” Ms. Akl said.
Ms. Akl encouraged participants to fully utilise the limited period of the Bootcamp to build networks, collaborate with peers from other institutions, and tap into available mentorship opportunities.
GNA
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Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong