Africa-Press – Ghana. Around Polo Junction in Aladjo, a suburb of Accra, coconut waste was previously a major environmental concern, as dealers indiscriminately dumped it.
But what many considered waste is being quietly transformed into opportunity, innovation and environmental hope.
For Elisha Kofi Foli, a young entrepreneur and a Person Living With Disability(PLWD), coconut shells scattered across streets and markets are not just refuse—they are raw materials for a sustainable industrial future.
The founder of MyCocoStuff Ghana is converting coconut waste into eco-friendly and biodegradable products such as cups, bowls and spoons—demonstrating how youth-led innovation can drive both environmental protection and economic growth.
Turning Waste into Wealth Against the Odds
Elisha’s journey is not only one of innovation but also resilience in the face of structural and personal challenges.
“The journey hasn’t been easy. Operating machinery as a person living with disability is not easy. Accessing funds to expand production is also a major challenge, and getting people to understand and accept eco-friendly products takes time,” he said.
What began in 2022 with a single machine has gradually evolved into a growing enterprise, despite limited resources and market barriers.
His inspiration came from observing the large volumes of coconut waste in communities.
“When you go to these neighbourhoods, you see coconut vendors everywhere. The waste is often discarded. I asked myself, why not transform this waste into something useful?”
Through a process that separates the coconut into shell, fibre and cocopeat, his company converts waste into practical products, while the fibre is also used in construction applications.
A Reflection of Broader Sector Challenges
Elisha represents a growing number of young Ghanaians leveraging innovation to solve real-world problems, a theme strongly echoed at the just ended Ghana AgroTech Fair 2026 held between March 17-19 at the Black Star Square in Accra.
The three-day maiden event, organised by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry in collaboration with the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank), was on the theme: “Transforming Agribusiness through Local Innovation and Technology.”
It provided a platform for institutions to exhibit locally made agricultural machinery, agro-processing equipment, and emerging technologies designed to boost productivity and strengthen value addition in the sector.
His experience also reflects a wider reality within Ghana’s agro-processing and innovation ecosystem.
At the AgroTech Fair, stakeholders consistently highlighted challenges such as limited access to funding, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient policy support as barriers to scaling local innovations.
Mr Patrick Quansah, Director of Engineering at the Gratis Foundation, highlighted the role of locally manufactured agro-processing equipment in improving productivity.
“These machines help reduce time, labour and energy consumption during processing. They are meant to improve efficiency and increase productivity for agro-processors,” he said.
He noted that 60 to 70 per cent of components used in such machines are produced locally, making them more affordable and easier to maintain.
However, he pointed out that access to materials such as food-grade stainless steel remains a challenge, as they must be imported, increasing production costs.
“We need policies that will promote Made-in-Ghana machines so that farmers across the country can easily access them,” he added.
Technology Changing the Face of Agriculture
Beyond processing, technology is redefining agriculture itself, making it more efficient and attractive—especially to young people.
Mr Dan Mensah, Senior Technician in charge of drones at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Learning Centre, highlighted how drone technology is transforming farming.
“With this technology, farmers can spray large areas in a short time. It makes farming easier and more attractive, especially to the youth,” he explained.
He added that drones can cover up to 20 hectares within an hour, significantly improving efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Training programmes in drone technology, coding and agribusiness are also equipping young people with skills for employment in the evolving agricultural sector.
Innovation from the Classroom
Educational institutions are also contributing to this transformation.
At the Bedeku Technical Institute, students have developed a milling machine to process sorghum leaves into tea bags and cooking powder—an innovation that demonstrates the potential of practical, skills-based education.
Madam Faustina Okai, the School’s Principal said the initiative had received encouraging feedback but lacked the necessary facilities to scale.
“We have just started producing the product and the response has been encouraging, but we need support to expand,” she said.
She highlighted the need for investment in workshops and equipment to enable students to turn ideas into viable enterprises.
Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Solutions
Other stakeholders are leveraging technology to address environmental challenges while improving productivity.
Mr Harry Bernard Wryter, Managing Director of Hydroponics and Agri-Tech Group of Companies, said innovations such as hydroponics and aquaponics are making farming more efficient and accessible.
“With a small space, you can produce significant yields,” he said, explaining that such systems are ideal for urban farming.
He also highlighted the use of agricultural waste, such as rice husk, to produce biochar and organic fertiliser—solutions that improve soil health and can help reclaim degraded lands.
“With biochar, we can reclaim degraded lands faster and make them suitable for planting within about a year,” he noted.
Youth, Inclusion and the Future of Innovation
At the heart of these discussions is a shared recognition: the future of Ghana’s agricultural transformation depends on its youth—and must be inclusive.
Elisha’s story stands out not only because he is a young innovator, but because he is navigating entrepreneurship as a person living with disability.
His journey underscores the need for systems that support inclusive participation in innovation—ensuring that physical challenges do not become barriers to opportunity.
A Call for Policy Direction and Collaboration
Like many stakeholders, Elisha is advocating stronger policy interventions to support local innovation.
He is calling for the reduction or ban of single-use plastics to create demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
“It is high time Ghana moves from plastic to natural and authentic products,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for partnerships with financial institutions and organisations such as the Ghana EXIM Bank to support expansion and export opportunities.
Stakeholders at the AgroTech Fair echoed similar calls, urging government to invest in research, promote locally manufactured technologies, and strengthen collaboration with the private sector.
A Future Within Reach
Elisha’s work, alongside innovations showcased at the AgroTech Fair, points to a future where waste is transformed into wealth, agriculture is powered by technology, and young people are at the forefront of change.
But that future will require deliberate investment, enabling policies and sustained support.
For now, at a small workshop in Aladjo, a young man is quietly proving that transformation is possible—turning discarded coconut shells into symbols of resilience, inclusion and hope for Ghana’s agro-industrial future.
Source: Ghana News Agency
