The Minister for Food and Agriculture has challenged a new crop of Ghanaian graduates trained in agribusiness in Russia to stay home and spearhead the country’s agricultural transformation, insisting that their expertise is critical to achieving food security and reducing Ghana’s dependence on food imports.
Speaking at a ceremony to welcome the graduates, the Minister noted that the 118 students completed their studies at RUDN University in Russia under a scholarship programme funded by the Jospong Group in partnership with the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC).
He said Ghana urgently needs highly skilled, innovative and committed young professionals who can apply modern agricultural science, technology and management practices to boost productivity across the sector.
“I have no doubt that the knowledge you’ve acquired abroad will contribute significantly towards achieving our national objectives,” the Minister told the graduates.
He stressed that agriculture remains at the heart of government’s transformation agenda through the Feed Ghana Agenda, which seeks to improve food security, create sustainable employment, promote agribusiness development and reduce the country’s reliance on imported food.
According to the Minister, unlocking Ghana’s agricultural potential requires the right mix of skilled human resources, investment, innovation and strategic partnerships.
As part of government’s support, he pledged the Ministry’s readiness to facilitate access to irrigation support, land development initiatives and strategic partnerships to help the graduates establish successful agribusiness ventures.
The Minister also disclosed that the Ministry has reached an agreement with the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC), under which 750 acres of irrigated land at Konadu have been allocated to support agricultural production.
Under the partnership, AAC will provide logistics, establish a vegetable production hub and pay irrigation water fees to ensure the sustainable use of the irrigation infrastructure.
He described the collaboration as a major step toward accelerating sustainable agricultural growth, adding that both parties will work together across the entire agricultural value chain, including cultivation, processing, storage, value addition, marketing and commercialization.
The Minister expressed confidence that the partnership would help build a new generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs capable of driving Ghana’s agricultural and economic transformation.
Maurice Otoo
