The Patron of the annual Agricultural Students’ Career Guidance & Mentorship Dialogue-Bootcamp (AGSTUD Africa), Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings, has reiterated the need for more policy directions that strategically feed into the committed efforts of young Ghanaians working hard to build careers within the country’s agricultural sector.
Hon. Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency, has noted that prioritizing support, and the empowerment of young people who have the passion and drive to contribute significantly to the country’s agricultural sector, is the way to go.
The Member of Parliament is expected to lead an Agri-Ted Mentorship Session, with over seventy (70) agricultural students and beginner agribusinesses, as part of the opening event activities, of the annual Agricultural Students’ Career Guidance & Mentorship Dialogue-Bootcamp (AGSTUD Africa).
Her mentorship session is expected to shape the mindset of the participants, on how best they can work together to establish the future and lay a strong foundation for a sustained Agriculture empire.
A release by Agrihouse Foundation, reveals the Agricultural students career guidance and mentorship dialogue, has for the past four(4) years, supported over 750 beneficiaries to appreciate the agric value chain opportunities, leading them to set-up beginner agribusinesses in both the crop and livestock value chain. Other beneficiaries have also ventured into processing of agric produce, including pepper, ginger, pineapple, watermelon, yoghurt and mushrooms, whiles the remaining are also serving as Agricultural Trainers and others, have also gained employment with reputable Agric institutions.
According to the Executive Director of the Agrihouse Foundation, this year’s Bootcamp, which opens on Monday, March 28 to Friday, April 1, 2022 has thirty schools participating, and this goes a long way to prove the significant impacts the Bootcamp is playing in shaping a career paths for the youth.
We started with only eight schools in 2018, and seeing the progress, the impact and the number of beneficiaries is exciting and fulfilling, she added.
Participating schools for this year’s Bootcamp includes, 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.
Touching on activities lined-up for the five (5) day Bootcamp, Ms. Akosa Sarpong said, the outlined daily activities, would see the campers, being mentored, coached and trained to shape their ideas into workable agribusiness plans. They would afterwards be supported with seed capitals and inputs, to enable them kick-start their businesses.
The Day one will commence at the Jubilee House, with H.E., the Vice President leading a mentorship session on the theme, “Digitalization-The Enabler, The Game Changer, and The future for the Agri-Youth.”
Other mentors, who will speak alongside His Excellency, include the Chairman of the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners’ Association of Ghana, (NFFAWAG), Mr. Nene Davies, Country Manager of OCP Africa, Mr. Samuel Oduro-Asare, Human Resource Director of Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Lawoetey Tettey, and representatives from the Ghana Investment Promotions Centre, and Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
Sponsors of this year’s event include ADB, OCP, Broad-spectrum, GIPC, Nanam Ventures, Mobraz, Demeter, Kofi Venyo and Bdiet
We are excited about the opportunities this year’s AG-STUD presents, the choices it will guide the campers to make and the path to take in realizing and growing a future in Agribusiness, with a focus on digitalization, Alberta noted.
