In a bid to harness the potential of young Ghanaian graduates and revitalize rural economies, the Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to engage more than 100,000 post-national service personnel in sustainable agriculture and cocoa farming ventures.
Announced by the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare Addo, during parliamentary proceedings on Friday, the initiative aims to equip young graduates with the resources, skills, and land needed to become successful agripreneurs.
Under the program, beneficiaries will receive comprehensive support including micro grants, input supplies, and expert technical guidance facilitated through a collaboration involving the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the World Food Programme, Ghana Enterprise Agency, Tree Crop Development Authority, and the MasterCard Foundation.
A key feature of the initiative is access to land banks, which will enable these young entrepreneurs to form co-operatives and adopt cluster farming models. Currently, the National Service Authority has secured 20,000 acres of land at Kumawu, with plans underway to acquire an additional 30,000 acres nationwide.
Beyond crop farming, participants will be paired with seasoned cocoa farmers for mentorship, while also exploring opportunities in livestock rearing and various agribusiness enterprises. This approach not only seeks to boost Ghana’s cocoa output but also enhance food security and rural livelihoods.
Minister Opare Addo emphasized the program’s sustainable design, explaining that beneficiaries are expected to repay the support once their agricultural ventures become profitable, ensuring a revolving model that can benefit future cohorts.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to youth empowerment, addressing unemployment, and driving agricultural modernization as pillars of Ghana’s socio-economic development.
