Empowering Ghana's Youth Through Agriculture and Innovation
Ghana Grows is a groundbreaking initiative by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with the Springboard Road Show Foundation, designed to empower young Ghanaians with opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET). The program provides hands-on training, mentorship, and business development support, with a special focus on women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. By strengthening ATVET as a viable career pathway, Ghana Grows is shaping the future of agriculture and unlocking sustainable livelihoods for young people.
Why Ghana Grows Matters
Rising Youth Population
Africa’s youth population is projected to grow significantly by 2050, increasing the need for sustainable economic opportunities.
Youth Unemployment Challenge
In Ghana, youth (ages 15-35) make up about 38% of the population, yet face a high unemployment rate of 32.8%, according to the Ghana Statistical Service.
Agriculture’s Untapped Potential
Agriculture employs over 40% of Ghana’s workforce but remains underdeveloped, especially in agribusiness, value addition, and technology-driven farming.
Ghana Grows’ Impact
Ghana Grows bridges this gap by equipping young people with skills, knowledge, and resources to build successful careers in agriculture.
Programs & Initiatives
Ghana Grows High School Next Level
The High School Next Level initiative under Ghana Grows has emerged as a pivotal intervention aimed at reshaping perceptions and career aspirations among young…….
AGROFUSION Festival
AgroFusion Festival is one of Ghana Grows’ hallmark events, designed to celebrate innovation, collaboration, and excellence in agriculture and agribusiness. Held annually, the festival serves as a platform for young ……..
TEENpreneurship
Teenpreneurship is a program designed to provide career guidance, mentoring, and personal development for young people aged 12-17. It is a non-residential five-day boot camp inspired and equipped young people with ……
Ghana Grows Edwuma
Ghana Grows Edwuma is a 15-minute broadcast aired on TV3 and 23 other radio stations nationwide, aimed at taking the youth through the stages of the agribusiness value chain, to encourage and empower them to take up careers in ….
Springboard Road Show Foundation equips youth across Ghana with skills in career development, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy to drive personal and community growth.
Employment, Career, and Entrepreneurship Outcomes
Ghana Grows has had a measurable impact on employment and entrepreneurship in agriculture and related sectors:
Employment-Seeking in Agriculture & ATVET: 73% of participants actively seek employment in these fields, compared to 49% in the control group.
Entrepreneurship Growth: 30% of program participants have started businesses in agriculture and agri-adjacent sectors, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in fostering agribusiness startups
Access to Financing & Mentorship: The program provides structured mentorship and connects young agripreneurs with funding opportunities to scale their businesses.
Ghana Grows Entrepreneurs
A transformative initiative in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, aimed at making agriculture, agribusiness and ATVET more appealing as career options. The program empowers young Ghanaians by providing hands-on training, mentorship, and business development opportunities, particularly for women, persons with disability
and other marginalized groups. It also works to strengthen Agric Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) as a viable employment pathway.
Juliana Afia Mahmoud
Juliana Afia Mahmood is a dedicated disability justice advocate and entrepreneur, committed to creating a society free from discrimination and inequality. She has a master’s degree in criminology and social Order and a bachelor’s in social work and Sociology, she works in the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development. As a disability inclusion facilitator, public speaker, and peace builder, Juliana strives to promote and protect the rights of women, children, and the elderly, especially those with disabilities, while also developing entrepreneurial opportunities that support her mission.
Mary Akuye Tetteh
Mary Akuye Tetteh is a person living with a disability and a participant in the Ghana Grows Empower 360 program. She is a dedicated businesswoman specializing in the sale of nutritious cereal and fresh mushrooms. Despite her physical disability, Mary defies the odds, demonstrating resilience and determination in building a thriving business. Through the skills and knowledge gained from the Empower 360 program, she continues to expand her enterprise, ensuring that her products not only contribute to food security but also promote healthy nutrition in her community. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and inclusive economic opportunities.
Melissa Efia Martey aka Afia Beauty
Melisa Afia Martey, a visually impaired lady emerged as the winner of the Brains 4 Purpose pageant event in celebration of the International Day of Disabilities 2024. As part of her reward, she was given a cash prize and an internship opportunity with Springboard Road Show Foundation for a period of six months. She works as a monitoring and evaluation personnel at the foundation. Melisa holds a bachelor of arts degree in Social Work from University of Ghana, Legon.
Juliana Afia Mahmoud
Juliana Afia Mahmood is a dedicated disability justice advocate and entrepreneur, committed to creating a society free from discrimination and inequality. She has a master’s degree in criminology and social Order and a bachelor’s in social work and Sociology, she works in the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development. As a disability inclusion facilitator, public speaker, and peace builder, Juliana strives to promote and protect the rights of women, children, and the elderly, especially those with disabilities, while also developing entrepreneurial opportunities that support her mission.
Ghana Grows is a youth-led program aimed at inspiring young people to discover career opportunities and supporting them in pursuing decent and fulfilling jobs in Agriculture, Agribusiness, and the Agric Technical, and Vocational Skills sectors.
The program aims to change the negative perceptions young people have about Agricultural Technical Vocational Education Training (ATVET).
The program will also offer training, coaching, and education on various opportunities, including jobs within Agribusiness and ATVET and its extended value chain.
The Ghana Grows program is open to young people across Ghana between the ages of 15 – 35, particularly women and people with special needs from both the formal and the informal sectors.
By providing exposure to opportunities within the Agric value chain and delivering work readiness, mentoring and soft skills training to persons within the target group. All these are with specific consideration to young women and persons living with disabilities.
The future of work globally literally resides in the Agriculture, Agribusiness, ATVET sectors and their extended value chains. Various research reports suggest that food was one of the fastest-growing industries in Africa last year and is the space to watch within the next five years. This means there are viable opportunities in the food value chain the youth can explore.
The Ghana Grows program through community and stakeholder engagement activations, carefully uses activities that push the Agric conversation to increase active youth involvement in Agriculture and Agric TVET sectors. Also, through job training and career guidance activities, young people will be inspired to deliberately choose careers and seek jobs in the Agric sector.
Ghana Grows is a co-creation by the Springboard Road Show Foundation in partnership with Mastercard Foundation and Lyme Haus.
Other members of the Ghana Grow consortium include Axis Human Capital Ltd and Meraki Arts Africa.
The programme is being implemented nationwide with a particular focus on 48 districts across all 16 regions in Ghana.
- Through the Call Center where young people call in and make inquiries or make requests for counseling and training sessions.
- Media Broadcast (Edwuma, Hangout and Virtual University)
- Community Clubs for young women
- In-person & e-Mentoring sessions
- Career Clinics
- e-Counselling
- Policy fora
- Psychosocial Education
- Coaching Clinics
- Empower360
- e-Learning
By joining the program, you can look forward to the following benefits:
1. Job Readiness – Get equipped with the skills, mindset, practical training to step confidently into the world of work
2. Career Tips – Receive career growth and guidance messages.
3. Professional Development – Advice for excelling at work.
4. Mentorship – Group mentoring and e-Mentorship from industry leaders.
5. Counselling – Access to psychologists and counselors.
6. Networking – Connecting with a large network of young people.
7. Inclusivity – Open to all young people, regardless of education or disability status.
8. Impact Stories – learn from real examples (past participants)
9. Engagement with policymakers – Creating platforms for youth-private sector engagement.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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