AGRA Country Director urges more investment in agriculture to boost youth opportunities
The Country Director of AGRA Ghana, Dr. Betty Annan, has highlighted the importance of increased investment in agriculture as a way to create more opportunities for young people in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Youth Tracker and AgTractive Campaign—an initiative carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE)—in Accra on Tuesday, December 2, she stressed that agriculture remains one of the strongest drivers of job creation. She referenced global research indicating that each dollar channelled into sustainable agriculture can yield returns of up to sixteen dollars.
Dr. Annan explained that growth driven by agriculture is as much as three times more effective at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors, and reaffirmed AGRA’s dedication to expanding pathways for youth.
“Agriculture today is not subsistence; it is innovation, it is business, it is technology. Investing in agriculture yields some of the highest returns, and young people have the unique opportunity to lead the future,” she noted.
She added that the AgTractive Campaign aims to create openings within the agriculture and agribusiness landscape for youth who are exploring innovative or entrepreneurial ventures in the sector.
“Hence, we are specifically targeting youth, especially young women between the ages of 18 and 35 years, who are proactive and committed to transforming the sector and creating jobs for themselves and many other youth,” Dr Annan explained.
“AGRA remains committed to ensuring that young women, rural youth, and the most disadvantaged are not left behind. We are proud to support the Ministry in turning this vision into meaningful change and in building the partnerships required to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s youth,” she assured.
The Youth Tracker platform is a digital tool intended to give young people direct access to opportunities while supplying government with reliable data to guide policy. It will function as a centralised space where young people can discover job openings, internships, training programmes, and agribusiness prospects.
