The Ghana-Nebraska Agribusiness Growth and Trade Relations Chamber, in collaboration with the Department of Agribusiness at the University of Ghana, held a highly engaging mentorship and inspiration-driven session aimed at equipping agribusiness students with global insights, career guidance, and educational opportunities.
The event, held at the Legon campus, welcomed a distinguished delegation from Nebraska, USA, representing the fields of education, politics, agribusiness, and marketing. Themed “Educational Opportunities in Nebraska and Career Path Development in Agribusiness,” the session was designed to help students prepare for the evolving dynamics of the global agricultural economy.
In her opening remarks, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation and Co-founder of the Ghana-Nebraska Chamber, urged students to embrace agriculture with a transformational mindset. With passion and conviction, she highlighted the critical need for inclusivity and innovation, especially the growing role of women in shaping the future of agribusiness.
“Opportunities abound in project management, farm input systems, machinery, and value addition. We must explore and own these spaces,” Akosa noted, encouraging students particularly young women to step confidently into leadership roles across the agricultural value chain.
As a leading voice in agribusiness development in Ghana, Alberta’s work through Agrihouse Foundation continues to inspire a new generation of agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs across the country. Her message to the students was not just motivational, it was a call to action.
The session also featured Ken Schilz, former Nebraska State Senator and Co-founder of the Ghana-Nebraska Chamber, who shared his personal journey from growing up on a family farm to serving in public office. He encouraged students to remain open to opportunities and embrace new paths.
“Always be ready for opportunities. You never know where you’ll end up, so don’t shut doors before you walk through them,” Schilz advised, while highlighting career paths in Nebraska’s robust agriculture industry, including food processing, livestock management, veterinary services, and agritech.
Jess Goldon, a top-ranked marketing executive and mentor recognized by Inc. 5000, brought a digital and entrepreneurial lens to the conversation. She urged students to think beyond traditional boundaries and embrace technology.
“You can launch a business from your phone. Use AI for more than just writing, it’s a tool for self-discovery,” she said, encouraging students to explore digital marketing, e-commerce, and the innovative possibilities technology brings to modern agriculture.
Former Nebraska State Senator, lawyer, and entrepreneur Justin Wayne also inspired students with a powerful testimony about the life-changing power of education.
“The world once saw me differently from how I saw myself. But education changed everything,” he said. He underscored the importance of branding, self-awareness, and innovation in addressing global challenges such as food and water scarcity.
Dr. Osei Asare, Head of the Agribusiness and Economics Department at the University of Ghana, described the session as a pivotal moment for students. He called on them to reflect deeply on the knowledge shared and apply it to their personal and professional journeys.
“This meeting is a roadmap, not just a lecture. Absorb, reflect, and act on the ideas shared today.”
The session left a lasting impression on participants, underscoring that agribusiness is far more than farming it is a vibrant, evolving space filled with opportunities in leadership, technology, entrepreneurship, and global trade.