The 7th edition of the Agricultural Students Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp (AG-STUD Bootcamp 2024) concluded with impressive victories for Damongo Agriculture College and Osei Kofi Fosu, a student from the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Dormaa Campus. Held in Accra, the event brought together students from 30 agricultural universities across Ghana to explore career opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Damongo Agriculture College triumphed in the Beginner Agribusiness Presentation category, while Osei Kofi Fosu clinched the prestigious AMG Fertilizers Imput Dealer Business Deal Champion award. The bootcamp, organized by Agrihouse Foundation, aimed to accelerate efforts in enabling and advancing career opportunities for agricultural youth, emphasizing the collaboration between public, private, and development partners.
Osei Kofi Fosu expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Agrihouse Foundation for creating such an impactful platform. “Agriculture has a bright future. My parents are into agriculture, and this bootcamp, with the inspiring stories from the invited guests, has motivated me. I am going to impart this motivation and inspiration to the youth in my area,” Fosu said.
The team from Damongo Agriculture College, consisting of Mensah Kpepa Daniel, Alhassan Luqman, Haruna Nadra, and Kipo Rukaya, also praised Agrihouse Foundation for the opportunity. They plan to invest their prize money into their business proposal, Divine Tomato Powder, which they presented during the competition. “The six-day bootcamp has been incredibly inspiring. We are grateful to Agrihouse Foundation for all they have done for us. Emerging as winners, we are committed to bringing our business proposal to reality,” the team stated.
The winners also highlighted the vast potential in agriculture, urging the government to make the sector more attractive to the youth. They believe that with the right support, young people can tap into the numerous opportunities agriculture offers.
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, hailed the event as a significant milestone for the foundation. She described AG-STUD Bootcamp 2024 as the most inspiring and successful edition to date. Akosa extended her appreciation to AMG Fertilizers for fully sponsoring the AMG Fretilizer Imput Dealer Business Deal Pitch, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings (MP for Korle Klottey Constituency and AG-STUD Bootcamp Patron), ADB Bank, and other partners for their immense support.
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa emphasized the importance of collaboration among public, private, and development partners to empower Ghana’s agricultural youth and foster their growth. “The agriculture sector has a lot of opportunities for the youth to embrace. The bootcamp aims to unlock these opportunities, promoting a sustainable and prosperous future in agriculture,” she noted.
She also commended the government of Ghana and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for their contributions to the agricultural value chain and called for the restoration of the Youth Agriculture Directorate under the ministry. This move, she believes, would ensure a dedicated focus on youth in agriculture, bridging food security gaps in the country.
Organized by Agrihouse Foundation, the AG-STUD Bootcamp continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for budding agricultural talents in Ghana. The event has consistently provided a platform for young people to learn, grow, and contribute to the agricultural sector, ensuring a brighter future for agriculture in the country.
