Africa-Press – Ghana. Mr Dominic Oduro-Antwi, President of the Ghana India Trade Advisory Chamber, has indicated that the chamber is ready to support and provide the needed direction for people, especially the youth, willing to venture in agriculture.
The focus of the chamber, he said, is to ensure smooth procedures for the export of agricultural produce and an increase in foreign exchange for economic development. Mr Oduro-Antwi disclosed that his outfit was also providing funding and business plans opportunities for females in the agricultural space.
Speaking at the Ghana Youth Agriculture Summit in Kumasi, he charged the youth to eschew negative perceptions about agriculture, embrace the concepts and make meaningful livelihoods in the sector.
These, he believed, would bridge the unemployment gap in the country and project Ghana in the agricultural business space. The summit was held on the theme “Agriculture: A Solution to Youth Unemployment and Driver for Economic Development.”
The programme, which attracted the academia, businesses in the agricultural value chain and students from the second cycle and the tertiary levels exposed the youth to the potential within the agricultural space and built stronger networks for business growth.
It was organised by Agricwealth-Ghana, the International Association of Students in Agriculture (IASS) branch of KNUST in collaboration with the National Entrepreneurship Innovation Programme (NEIP).
Mr Oduro-Antwi charged the Ghanaian youth to be keen on researching to foster rapid change, and add value and ideas to tackle emerging issues. He noted that advanced research had helped several countries around the world in advancing in technology, business, healthcare and hospitality among others.
Mr Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, Chief Executive Officer, NEIP, said the government was advancing efforts at making agriculture attractive to the Ghanaian youth.
He mentioned that it was in this regard the government was investing a substantial amount to support and attract youth into commercial farming under Ghana Cares “Obaatanpa pa” Programme. It would ensure rapid competitive import substitution, support commercial farming, and increase food security and the supply of raw materials.
The Reverend Evans Kyere Mensah, the convener of the Summit, said they were poised to change the negative perception and inculcate in the youth importance of agriculture, describing the current rate of unemployment as a national security threat.
“We must all be worried about it and take practical steps to deal with it, leaving no stone unturned,” he declared. He urged the government to make a deliberate policy that would cushion the base of youth who were actively engaged in the agricultural sector.
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