Ghanaian youth have been urged to seize opportunities in agriculture, a sector ripe for transformation and wealth creation.
Abraham Dwuma Odoom, an agribusiness expert, emphasized the importance of prioritizing agriculture, leveraging initiatives and economic enclaves created by government and private firms.
These initiatives offer factors of production, such as land, water, and modern implements, making it easier for youth to start farming without starting from scratch.
Speaking at the Youth in Agribusiness Festival 2024 in Kumasi, Odoom highlighted the potential for modern agriculture to stabilize the economy and reduce reliance on imported goods.
He also cautioned against the unrestrained use of pesticides, citing health risks and the need for control measures.
The two-day program, themed “Agribusiness Modernisation: Tool for Sustainable Youth Employment in Ghana,” was organized by the John A. Kufuor Foundation.
Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, CEO of the foundation, emphasized the need for youth to embrace agricultural opportunities, as the sector is largely dominated by the elderly who are leaving the workforce.
Kwasi Nyamekye, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), expressed concern about Ghanaians’ preference for foreign products, citing the poultry industry as an example.
He noted that local products are often deemed expensive, despite employing many people.
Odoom and Agyeman-Duah encouraged youth to capitalize on modern technologies in farming to reduce unemployment and drive Ghana’s socio-economic agenda.
By doing so, they can create a stable economy, reduce reliance on imports, and promote sustainable youth employment.
