Charlotte Yawa Sodzedo, 24, agribusiness student of Adidome Farm Institute, emerged winner of the maiden Agromonti Ultimate Prize Pitch held at this year’s sixth Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue bootcamp (AG-STUD Africa Bootcamp), organized by Agrihouse Foundation.
For her prize, Agromonti, in partnership with Agrihouse Foundation, will set-up, a state-of-the-art input dealer business, estimated at thirty-five thousand Ghana cedis (35,000 ghc) for her in Danfa Ayiemensah, in the Greater Accra Region.
Speaking after her win, an overjoyed and emotional Charlotte thanked Agromonti and Agrihouse Foundation for the honour, while promising to manage and sustain the investment when it is finally set-up.
The Agromonti Utimate Prize Pitch gave nine final year agribusiness students who particpated in this year’s AG0STUD Bootcamp, the opportunity to demonstrate how they were practically going to run a state-of-the-art input dealership business, to ensure its growth over a period of two years.
The Managing Director of Agromonti Mr. Benjeamin Offei, congratulated Charlotte for putting up a good contest with her outstanding ideas and practical business she plans on putting in place when the venture is handed to her.
He used the opportuntiy to reiterate Agromonti’s commitment to support the development of young Ghanaians focused on building careers in the agric sector. He said Agromonti would work closely with Agrihouse Foundation, to monitor and provide Charlotte with the needed support, to ensure her growth in the sector.
“By this, we are contributing to empowering the next generation of Agriprinuers, whiles contributing to the Government’s agenda of establishing Input Dealer businesses across the country, for convenience and accessibility of Farmers,” Mr. Offei added
For her part, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, also praised Charlotte for her effort and her commitment towards winning the ultimate prize. While congratulating the other eight contestants for being strong contenders, she said, Agrihouse will also work with them to ensure the fruition of their agribusiness ideas.
She thanked Agromonti for supporting this year’s Ultimate Prize Pitch Challenge, and being a lead sponsor of this year’s Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp.
About 125 students from Agric Colleges, farm institutes and universities participated in the 5-day bootcamp held in Accra.
They were exposed to practical learnings in diverse fields, led by, mentors trainers and coaches, drawn from different industries. The students participated in a number of intensive sessions, pitches, presentations, field trips, drills and other mind-engaging activities during their stay at the camp.
Participating institutions include Ejura, Wenchi, Ohawu, Fair River, Damango Animal Health, Asuanzi, Kwadaso, UDS, UCC, KNUST, UG, Catholic University, Methodist University, UNER, Adidome Agric College, Wenchi Farm Institute, Veterinary College, All Nations University, Ghana Christian, Central University, GH Media School. Other participating 2nd cycle institutions include Ngleshie Amanfro, Ashaiman Secondary School, Labone SHS, and O Reilly SHS.
The annual Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue is an initiative of Agrihouse Foundation, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Human Resource Department of MOFA, the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association.
This year’s event was on the theme, “5 years of Grooming, Training and Empowerment: Where We Are Now With Our Agribusiness.” It was sponsored by Agronomoti Ghana Limited, Holland Akokor, Cocoa Processing Company, Nanaam Ventures, B-diet, Kofi Venyo Ventures, WAF Agro, FDA, Dizengoff Ghana Limited, Agric Development Bank (ADB).
Collaborating partners included, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Human Resource Department of the MOFA, and National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG).
