‘Make the Most of 5-day Bootcamp,’ Hon. Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings, ADB, OCP NFFAWAG Urge 5th AG-STUD Campers

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Patron of the Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp, Hon. Dr Zanetor Agyeman- Rawlings has advised this year’s Campers to work together and in doing so, learn to support one another.

She said the agricultural value chain is filled with many examples of synergy, and everyone who understands agriculture, also appreciates the power and role of collaborations.

“If you understand what it takes to make your group work, you can minimize conflicts and and allow the progress of your team,” she said.

The Member of Parliament for the Korle Klottey Constituency, made these comments at the Opening Event of the 5^th Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp (AG-STUD-AFRICA) Bootcamp, which took place at the Jubilee House on Monday, March 28, on the theme, “Digitalization – The Enabler, The Game Changer, and the Future for the Agri-Youth.”

She also urged the seventy (70) agri-students and beginner agribusinesses to understanding their strengths and weaknesses; as this would enable them build the right teams to support their growth and development.

“Knowing where your weaknesses are,” she stressed, “and finding the right people who can support you, because no one is able to do everything on their own. Don’t be afraid to have people around you who are know more than you do. You are better off when you have people who have more expertise around you.”

She also urged the Campers to learning new skills, which may directly not be line with their interests, “And even if you your interest is in agric, you should learn about finance, so that you are better at bookkeeping,” she said.

For his part, The Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Dr. John Kofi Mensah express his excitement on the success of the Ag-Stud initiative. He said developing countries need to support the growth and development of their agricultural sector, which in many cases is the backbone of their national economy. He said ADB would continue giving the needed support to everyone in the agribusiness sector to start something for the future.

The Country Director of OCP Africa in Ghana, Mr. Samuel Oduro-Asare, charged the participants to always have the ‘I can do spirit’ in starting at beginning with little resources available to them so they will be able to stay relevant in whatever they are doing. We at OCP Africa are always ready support AG-STUD and we are still committed to supporting you more this year, Mr. Oduro assured the participants.

The Chairman of the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG), Mr. Davies Korboe, for his part, praised the Vice –President for hosting the Opening Event of the AG-STUD Bootcamp. “We are making history today. This the first time a sitting Vice-President is hosting our future agribusiness captains. This is important because if you look at the aged to youth bracket in agriculture, if nothing is done about it in the next three years, you won’t find anybody in the sector. We at NFAWAG support Agrihouse. And I congratulate the youth for taking up agriculture, because it takes passion and discipline to become a successful agripreneur,”

About 5^th 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.

Sponsors of this year’s Bootcamp are 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.