The Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo Foundation, in partnership with Toutele Agriculture College South Africa, has initiated 5 days of free Agric Skills Training for over 100 youth in Akuapem- Akropong in the Eastern region to set them up under five different Agric business models – poultry skill training, cattle and sheep, piggery, crop and irrigation as well as an Agric business.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the opening session of the five days training at Presbyterian College of Education- Akropong, the CEO of Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo Foundation, Emmanuel Ansah Ntow, highlighted that the foundation primarily focuses on health education and social enterprise hence the initiative falls under the social enterprise umbrella with the ultimate aim of equipping the youth in agriculture to help reduce unemployment in Okuapem.
Emmanuel Ansah Ntow explained by saying, “Now agric business is the way forward and the world is going to a point where there is going to be a shortage of food very soon so this is what we are doing as a foundation in Akuapem to help the youth and to reduce the unemployment situation in our area and that is the main goal of the training”.
“We have some other students coming from Accra and the North. We have 120 people who have registered already. We hope they pay attention and study to acquire the free-of-charge knowledge and utilize it because the foundation is willing to help them set up their businesses”.
“There are fewer jobs in Ghana, but the country has vast arable lands. Many young people are less interested in agriculture. The world is heading to a place where there will be food shortages, caused by population growth and climate change. To boost food production to meet the demands, we must support the youth to go into animal and crop production to meet their needs, sell the products and produce in the local market, or export them to generate income. This strategy will lessen the over-reliance on imported foodstuffs” he explained.
The Principal and Founder of Toutele Agriculture College South Africa, Dr. Gostina “Gabby” Malope, and some Lecturers from Toutele Agriculture College South Africa facilitated the five days of training and acknowledged the purpose of the partnership with Oseadeeyo Kwasi Akuffo Foundation.
Dr. Gostina “Gabby” Malope said, “Today we are building and fostering relations with food security in mind. Agriculture is vital to the socio-economic development of every country. No country lives in isolation without sharing ideas with others as far as animal and crop production is concerned. Toutele Agriculture College South Africa will continue to engage in various exchange programs with partner organizations globally to encourage the youth to go into agriculture as it bolsters employment”.
“But this is an opportunity for us to build a pyramid of skills development and food security: we have fertile soil for agricultural activities, massive natural water bodies, and abundant natural mineral resources in Africa. With these resources, our continent stands a greater chance of investing heavily in agriculture and improving its food security and economic outlook”.
She continued, “We are also to teach them how to make evaluated production within their communities, a situation that can bring under control the rising cost of foodstuffs in Ghana and Africa”.
“Moreover, we want to ensure every church, household, school, and humanity support service center has a garden. In that way, we would have augmented the government’s effort in feeding communities” Dr. Gostina “Gabby” Malope noted.
“It is an opportunity for us to produce organic produce and to eliminate unemployment among school leavers or college and university graduates across Africa. Agriculture is an engine for life because we cannot survive without agriculture” she concluded.
