Accra: Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, announced that the Ag-Stud Bootcamp aims to position youth effectively for the government's "Feed Ghana" initiative. She emphasized the importance of empowering agricultural students through mentorship, capacity building, and industry exposure to ensure sustainable agribusiness development and national food security.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Akosa made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Ag-Stud Africa Bootcamp in Accra, which gathered approximately 120 students from agricultural institutions and universities nationwide. The Bootcamp, in its ninth edition, serves as a mentorship dialogue platform designed to equip young people in agriculture 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 engage in an "agri-voyage" to a cassava processing company and a large-scale farm to experience various production, processing, and marketing processes.
Madam Akosa explained that this year's programme aligns with key national agricultural policies, such as the Feed Ghana initiative and Farmers Service Centres, championed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA). She stressed the importance of integrating the youth's role in agricultural policy discussions and creating platforms to amplify their voices.
As part of the Bootcamp, students will present policy proposals to Ministry officials, including coordinators of the Feed Ghana initiative and Farmers Service Centres. Madam Akosa expressed optimism that the students' recommendations would influence policy direction, ensuring greater youth inclusion in the agricultural value chain.
The Bootcamp also unites stakeholders from the public and private sectors to bridge the gap between academic training and industry realities. Ms. Andrea Akl, Deputy General Manager of Qualiplast Limited, highlighted the importance of investing in students as the next generation of agricultural professionals.
According to Ms. Akl, partnerships between industry and educational institutions are essential for nurturing innovative ideas and transforming them into viable agribusiness ventures. She encouraged participants to fully utilise the Bootcamp to build networks, collaborate with peers, and tap into available mentorship opportunities.