MTN Ghana and partners unveil agriculture hub to drive digital farming revolution
MTN Ghana has partnered with the University of Ghana (UG) and the Defarmercist Group Limited to officially open a new vegetable hub of excellence on the university’s campus.
The newly commissioned hub aims to equip young Ghanaians with advanced farming techniques and agribusiness knowledge to help reduce unemployment and strengthen the nation’s food security. The launch, held at the UG farms, brought together key figures from academia, government, and the private sector.
Speaking at the ceremony, Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, underscored the importance of integrating technology and digital tools into modern agriculture.
He argued that relying on traditional methods without technological support exposes farmers to unnecessary risks.
“If you don’t have technology, you’re gambling, you’re hoping the weather, you’re hoping insects, things are not going to destroy it, animals. When you bring technology in, you allow yourself to be a lot more focused and also help you to distribute your products,” he said.
Blewett encouraged students and potential beneficiaries to make the most of the hub, describing them as pioneers capable of leading Ghana into a new era of digital agriculture.
“I urge you to seize this opportunity. You are the digital trailblazers who will lead Ghana’s agricultural revolution. With the tools, technology, and expertise available here, you can turn agriculture into not just a business, but a rewarding and exciting venture. So you need to look at it through that lens.”
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development at UG, also addressed the gathering. He called on students to embrace the initiative with dedication and a desire to contribute to national development, noting that it offers a platform for generating real solutions to Ghana’s food challenges.
“This hub is more than a training center. It is a launch pad. The skills you acquire here will not only position you to succeed individually, but also to contribute solutions to some of the pressing challenges facing food systems globally. Approach this opportunity with discipline, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility.”
Valued at GH₵3 million, the facility is MTN Ghana’s first major agricultural investment. The five-acre site includes three greenhouses, training areas, a 24kW solar energy system, two boreholes, four water storage tanks, drip irrigation fitted with digital valves and timers, and open-field beds with mulching and flowering systems. The project has also resulted in the creation of 10 new jobs.
