The CEO of Agri-Impact Limited has urged young Ghanaians to venture into the agricultural sector, even without a background in agriculture.
He emphasized that agribusiness is a multimillion-dollar industry with vast opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background.
“Agribusiness is huge and full of opportunities. Interestingly, it’s not limited to those with an agricultural background. At a firm, professionals like accountants, IT specialists, legal experts, HR personnel, and food scientists, among others, all come together to form a successful agribusiness company,” he said.
Mr. Acquaye shared this advice during the first of three roadshows dubbed “Young Agripreneurs Conference” held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
The conference was organized by the National Secretariat of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) in collaboration with Agri-Impact Limited and in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
He further challenged the misconception that agriculture is only for those who have missed other opportunities in life, stating, “Some believe it’s for older individuals, or for those without hope. They are all wrong. There is a strong connection between wealth creation and agriculture. Once you recognize your potential for wealth creation, you will find ample opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness. We encourage you to consider that among all the options available to you, choosing agriculture as your primary path can lead to significant progress.”
Mr. Acquaye also urged tertiary students to conduct relevant research that adds value and enhances national development.
“We should do away with research that adds no value to industry or national development. When you ask someone about their research and you can simply pick up your phone, Google it, and all the information they are researching is already available, what’s the value added?”
He shared an example from a few months ago when he met a graduate tertiary student researching the effects of spacing on okra yields.
“This topic was established long before we were born, so what new insights are you offering?” he questioned.
“Today, we want you to have the mindset that every project you undertake must be relevant to industry. Don’t just pick a topic to finish university and move on. Ultimately, something you worked on at university should add value to industry, and that’s where opportunities will arise for you.”
The Young Agripreneurs Conference is part of the “Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth” (HAPPY) Program, championed by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited.
In light of rising youth unemployment in Ghana, the HAPPY Program aims to create 326,000 dignified jobs for young people aged 15-35, with a particular focus on women and persons with disabilities in the agricultural sector.
Juliana Asante-Dartey, Deputy CEO of Agri-Impact Limited, also spoke at the event, encouraging the youth to view agribusiness as a platform for earning a decent living, rather than focusing solely on white-collar jobs.
“I know many of you say you are the future of the nation. While that’s true, we also believe you represent the vitality and spirit of this nation right now. That’s why we need you at the table today. Your involvement is crucial, and we need you to take an interest in what we are doing, because together, we can change the narrative of this nation and shape what we achieve for ourselves.”
Agri-Impact Limited
