The Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited has roll out an initiative dubbed “Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth”-(HAPPY) to be implemented by eight implementing partners including the National Service Authority, Ghana CARES, Catholic Relief Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The HAPPY programme which began in 2023 and expected to end in 2027 aims to create dignified job opportunities for 326,000 youth aged 15-35, with 70 of whom are women and persons with disabilities in the agricultural sector targeting poultry, soybeans, tomato and rice value chain.
It is expected to increase food production by 190,000 tonnes, generate annual revenue of over 200 million dollars as well as to reduce import of these strategic foods by 10 per cent.
Delivering the key note address at the event at Sunyani in the Bono Region yesterday to assess the progress of implementation over a year now, Mr Gottfried Odamtten Sowah, a representative of the Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, noted that the event offered the implementing partners the opportunity to celebrate what they had achieved together, reflect on their journey so far and experiences.
He noted that “our partnership with Agri-Impact Limited and consortium partners through the HAPPY programme is a testament of our commitment in building a future where young Ghanaians can actively shape and benefit under the agricultural land scape.”
According to Mr Odamtten Sowah, the past one year, over 1000 Ghanaian youth had been equipped with skills, knowledge and resources to improve productivity to achieve meaningful livelihoods.
“Together with our implementing partners we have introduced young people to value chain of focus new technology, improved practices in markets, ensuring that they have the tools to succeed in a competitive and dynamic society,” he stated.
The Country Director of Mastercard Foundation said with the right support agriculture cannot be a fall back but a vibrant and viable carrier path among the youth that drive growth and resilience in the country.
He said challenges such as access to land, market and climate change effect on agriculture sector, especially among women in rural communities across the country would be worked on to improve the sector.
He encouraged the youth to work hard to take advantage of existing technologies and opportunities to create jobs for themselves to enhance their future aspirations.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, Julian Asante, during a presentation said 94,000 job opportunities had been created within the last one year of the roll out of the programme.
According to her 55 per cent of these beneficiaries were women and persons with disabilities, exceeding their target of 70,000 jobs per year.
The Chief Executive Officer of Yedent Group of Companies, Kwame Ntim, urged the youth to venture into agriculture to improve their lot indicating that the sector had the potential to transform the Ghanaian economy and the youth as a whole
FROM DANIEL DZIRASAH, SUNYANI