The third Mega edition of the Ghana Youth Agriculture Summit is set to take place on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) auditorium.
The inaugural and second editions were both held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. These events aim to inspire graduating students to view agriculture as a lifelong investment opportunity, emphasizing its potential as one of the most lucrative sectors when managed effectively.
With a long-term goal of reaching 500,000 graduating students across the country, the summit has already influenced over 200 participants, many of whom have started their own farms, while others are exploring agribusiness opportunities.
Evans Kyere-Mensah, convener of the Ghana Youth Agriculture Summit, noted that agriculture is not limited to farming but encompasses a wide range of sectors with untapped potential. He highlighted the importance of engaging the youth in agriculture, especially as the country faces a growing population and an aging farming demographic that threatens the nation’s food security.
“We must ensure that we produce enough to feed our population and industries, which will also help reduce unemployment and poverty among our youth,” Kyere-Mensah emphasized.
The 3rd edition of the summit will bring together distinguished scholars and industry experts to share insights with students from colleges across Ghana. Among the notable speakers are Dr. Jemima Nunoo (née Agyare), an award-winning executive and Technical Director for Media and Strategic Communications at the Office of the President, Mr. Elison Owusu Fordjour from the College of Tropical Agriculture, Mr. Harry Ekow Yamson of Ishmael Yamson and Associates, and Dr. Irene Susana Egyir, an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness.
The event promises to be a pivotal platform for fostering a renewed interest in agriculture and preparing the next generation of leaders in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
