Agriculture

Springboard Road Show 2025

Techiman Youth Urged to Tap Opportunities in Agriculture – MCE Kwaku Adjei Mensah at Springboard Road Show 2025

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The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Techiman, Hon. Kwaku Adjei Mensah, has urged young people to explore opportunities in agriculture, describing the sector as a key driver of innovation, employment, and national development. He made the call at the Springboard Road Show 2025 held in Techiman, the sixth stop of the nationwide youth empowerment tour under the Ghana Grows programme. The event brought together young people, traditional leaders, and local authorities to discuss skills development, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being. Hon. Mensah noted that agriculture remains one of the most promising sectors for the country’s youth, offering vast potential for enterprise and self-employment. He encouraged participants to acquire practical skills and leverage both government and private-sector interventions to improve productivity and livelihoods. “Agriculture remains one of the most promising sectors for our youth. It offers vast potential for innovation, employment, and enterprise,” he said. “I encourage every young person to acquire practical skills and take advantage of interventions in agriculture to improve productivity and livelihoods.” The Techiman edition marked the transition of the Road Show from Ghana’s northern and savannah zones to the middle belt. The initiative, expected to cover all 16 regions and engage over 500,000 young people, focuses on empowering youth through innovation, inclusion, and mentorship. A key session on mental health and psychosocial support emphasized emotional resilience and self-care as vital elements of personal and professional success. Facilitators also highlighted the availability of free counselling services under the Ghana Grows programme. Two members of the Ghana Grows Girls Club shared how the initiative had transformed their lives. Ellen Anyaki said e-mentoring sessions on entrepreneurship and food processing helped her start a garlic and ginger paste business after winning the 60-Day Backyard Farming Challenge. “Through e-mentoring on entrepreneurship and food processing, I was able to start a garlic and ginger paste business,” she said. “Winning the 60-Day Backyard Farming Challenge gave me a starter kit and financial support to expand my venture.” Haggar Sackey, a participant of the Empower360 training, said training in soap making inspired her to establish Evert & Co., a youth-led enterprise that trains senior high school students in soap production and entrepreneurship. “The soap-making training gave me the confidence to start my own business,” she said. “The programme gave me purpose and direction.” Traditional leaders, including Nana Adwoa Akwaabea Sika (New Krobo Hemaa), Nana Kwadwo Yeboah (Atipimhene, Krobo Kyidom Traditional Council), and Nana Afia Yeboaa (Atipimhemaa, Krobo Kyidom Traditional Council), graced the event. Nana Kwadwo Yeboah, also a Ghana Grows Youth Ambassador, said his training at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) had enhanced his knowledge in agriculture and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET), enabling him to mentor young people through Career Clinic sessions. The Springboard Road Show 2025 continues its mission of nurturing a generation of skilled, confident, and purpose-driven young people. From Techiman, the nationwide journey proceeds to the Bono Region, carrying forward the message of enterprise, innovation, and empowerment for every young person ready to grow. Marketing and Communications Springboard Roadshow Foundation

Virtual University

MTN CEO Stephen Blewett Urges Youth to Seize AI and Digital Opportunities

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Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has called on young people across Ghana to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), digital tools, and entrepreneurship as the keys to unlocking their future prosperity. He emphasized that the digital revolution is already underway and must be harnessed to create opportunities rather than feared. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University with Rev. Albert Ocran, Mr. Blewett highlighted Ghana’s potential to become a leader in AI if government, the private sector, civil society, and citizens work together. “It must be a collaboration. Government can’t run alone. MTN can’t run alone. NGOs can’t. But if we all put our efforts together with a common purpose, Ghana can lead this revolution. Otherwise, someone else will take that position,” he stated. Mr. Blewett revealed that MTN is investing in young people to drive innovation while also supporting the government’s One Million Coders Project, an initiative designed to prepare the next generation for the jobs of the future. Encouraging young people to be proactive, he advised: “Don’t wait. Put yourself forward. Get together with friends, develop ideas, and pursue opportunities. One of the biggest opportunities I see in Africa is gaming — but games that are developed locally, coded creatively, and even enhanced with AI.” He further urged parents to support their children’s interests in gaming and digital technology, noting that these tools can be powerful vehicles for learning and innovation. “Sometimes we reject it because it’s unfamiliar. But gaming can be used positively, even for education in maths and science. Parents must see the potential rather than dismiss it,” he explained. Reflecting on his own leadership journey, Mr. Blewett admitted that he was “arrogant” earlier in his career but has since learned humility, resilience, and service. “As a CEO, you are a custodian, a servant. You ultimately serve everyone in the organization, even the shareholder with just ten shares. That’s a sobering thought,” he remarked. Highlighting the impact of MTN Ghana, which serves over 30 million customers daily, he underscored the scale of responsibility the company carries. “If I turned off the network today, you would see how important we are. We are shaping the digital future of economies and people. That is a huge responsibility,” he said. Looking ahead, Mr. Blewett reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to continued investment in network quality, digital services, and opportunities for Ghanaians. “What gives me the most joy is seeing lives touched through what we do. Our ethos is that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life, and we will not leave anyone behind,” he affirmed. About the Springboard Road Show Foundation The Springboard Road Show Foundation (SRSF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to youth empowerment, mindset transformation, and career development. Through programs like Springboard, Your Virtual University, The Ghana Grows Programme in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, and Springboard Road Show 2025, SRSF continues to inspire and equip young Africans to lead change in their communities and industries. Springboard Road Show Foundation (SRSF) Communications & Public Affairs Department Email: info@springboard.com.gh Website: www.springboard.com.gh

Hangout

Springboard Road Show 2025 Engages 500,000 Young People Across 16 Regions

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The Springboard Road Show 2025 is already underway, with two regions covered so far in what organizers describe as the most ambitious edition yet of the nationwide empowerment initiative. Speaking on Springboard Hangout, host Comfort Ocran traced the program’s journey from its modest beginnings in 2007 to its current scale as one of Ghana’s largest youth movements. “The very first event, held at Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Hall, attracted 600 participants. That was how a one-off Accra event grew into a nationwide movement,” she recalled. At the heart of this year’s Road Show is the Ghana Grows program, a bold intervention designed to equip young Ghanaians with the skills, networks, and resources needed to thrive in the agriculture and agribusiness space. By combining technical and vocational training with mentorship, career guidance, and direct access to opportunities, Ghana Grows provides practical pathways for young people, especially young women and persons with disabilities, to live dignified and fulfilling lives. Now in its third year of partnership with the Ghana Grows program, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, the initiative has already reached more than 500,000 young women, young men, and persons with disabilities. This has been achieved through platforms including the Career Clinic, Edwuma, Hangout, Virtual University, Empower360, and Community Information Centres. “This year, we’re not just talking to young people online or on TV. We want to look them in the eye, hang out with them, and connect them directly to opportunities across the agriculture, agribusiness, and Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) value chains,” Comfort Ocran said. The 2025 edition will feature 50 expert speakers from diverse fields to provide practical knowledge, inspire action, and open new opportunities for participants. Alongside the conferences, the Road Show will host skills-building workshops in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Selected participants will also receive startup kits containing tools and resources to support value addition and entrepreneurship. A new addition to this year’s program is the introduction of regional Hangout Highlights, which will showcase local innovators, institutions, and young changemakers in each region. Organizers say this will allow participants to discover success stories and role models within their own communities. Describing the Road Show as a lifeline for the youth, Comfort Ocran said: “It is intentionally designed for young people, with young people, and run by young people. Don’t let the Road Show pass you by. Be there and let it transform your journey.” About Springboard HangoutSpringboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centered show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences to educate, entertain, and equip the next generation. It airs every Saturday on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel (YouTube) at 4 PM. By Genevieve Mensah

Virtual University

Faith and Godliness Must Shape Everyday Life Says Methodist Presiding Bishop

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Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, says godliness should not be separated from daily living but must guide how people build society and relate with one another. Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with Rev. Albert Ocran as part of the ongoing 17th anniversary Thinkathon series on the power of ideas in Faith and Society, he said that compartmentalizing spirituality and everyday life weakens society. “We have compartmentalized our lives. Our spirituality is here, our everyday life is there. We have not put the bridge between the two. If we want to build a good society, godliness is essential because godliness encompasses all the virtues that make you human,” he explained. He advised young people to apply themselves fully in whatever field they are in, whether academics, apprenticeship, or agriculture. He stressed that friendships and relationships must also be chosen wisely. “If the young man in your life is asking for sexual favors or taking you away from your studies to go to a club, drop the relationship,” he cautioned. He also emphasized the importance of self-control as a leadership quality, warning that a lack of discipline in small things often leads to bigger failures. “If you don’t control your sense of hearing, you will listen to gossips, and that is the downfall of a lot of leaders. They enjoy gossip,” he said. On marriage, he urged couples to avoid transactional attitudes and instead invest in one another to build stronger unions. “In a good marriage, whether you are a man or a woman, you think about how to improve the relationship. You are sowing into it, and you will reap what you sow,” he said. According to him, Christian teaching on humanity emphasizes the fallen nature of humanity, which must be redeemed to align life with God’s purpose. About Springboard, Your Virtual UniversitySpringboard, Your Virtual University is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast hosted by Rev. Albert Ocran. It airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Springboardzone (YouTube) and Joy FM, and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The ongoing Thinkathon series brings together thinkers and leaders from various fields to explore the power of ideas in shaping society. By Faustina Yeboah

Edwuma

Turning Waste Fabric into Stuffed Toys: MBA Mode’s Innovative Path

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Theresa Maame Baduba Ansah, Founder of MBA Mode, a fashion design institute in Adenta, Accra, is transforming Ghana’s waste fabric problem into an economic opportunity by creating stuffed dolls and other products from discarded textiles. Speaking on Ghana Grows Edwuma, with host Araba Koomson,  she explained that the idea was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. With her fashion school shut down, she began experimenting with fabric scraps that would have otherwise been discarded. “There were children at home, schools were closed, and we had leftover fabric pieces. That became the inspiration,” she said. The founder, who originally trained as an accountant before venturing into fashion, has since expanded her work to train apprentices and integrate waste-to-product innovation into her institute’s curriculum. She highlighted the difference between upcycling and recycling, explaining, “Upcycling means I can take this piece and directly turn it into a product without breaking it down. Recycling, on the other hand, requires breaking it down before producing something new.” She emphasized the environmental impact of her work, citing worrying figures about waste generation in Ghana. “Every day, over 12,000 tons of waste are produced. Between 2022 and 2029, it is estimated to rise to 16,000 to 20,000 tons daily,” she noted.  “Just like an animal kingdom with different species, I want to build a place where you will find all kinds of stuffed animals,” she explained. Madam Theresa urged young entrepreneurs to take initiative. “You cannot sit for somebody to feed you. Create an environment for yourself. Start with what you have, I started in my living room,” she said. About Ghana Grows EdwumaGhana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast aired on TV and radio, aimed at encouraging young people to take up career opportunities in the agribusiness, agriculture, and ATVET sectors. By Faustina Yeboah

Edwuma

We Built Riohs College to Give Practical Fashion Training to People – Richard Ohene Sika

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Founder of Riohs College of Design, Richard Ohene Sika, says he established the institution to provide hands-on fashion training at a time when Ghana lacked short, practical programs in the field. “There was no official fashion institution doing anything shorter than a one-year program, and many people simply wanted to learn how to sew,” he explained. “That’s why I set up Riohs College, to focus on practicality and teach people how to sew.” Mr. Ohene Sika made these remarks on Ghana Grows Edwuma, hosted by Araba Koomson. The episode explored how Riohs College of Design has created opportunities for young people to turn their creative talents into professional careers. He outlined the institution’s major programs, including clothing and construction, 3D digital fashion, menswear, bridal design, and a new comprehensive fashion design option of one to three years. “From illustration to final sewing, everything is practical from day one. We are student-focused, and it is also value for money,” he said. According to him, what makes Riohs stand out is its lifelong support for graduates. “We have an acronym, LEARN. It’s a lifelong learning program. Even ten years after school you can always come back. We have an open studio policy where you can produce or get any form of help you need.” Mr. Ohene Sika also highlighted the institution’s facilities, including digital and design studios, a library, and a conducive classroom environment. He added that creating a lively and creative space motivates students to excel. Proudly listing alumni such as Elikem the Tailor, Sarah the Dressmaker, Zaki, and several others who have built thriving brands in Ghana and abroad, he said, “Sometimes I see a beautiful brand and later discover it belongs to one of our old students. That gives me so much joy.” About Ghana Grows EdwumaGhana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast aired on TV and radio, aimed at encouraging young people to take up career opportunities in the agribusiness, agriculture, and ATVET sectors. By Faustina Yeboah

Edwuma

“Farming Is Not a Risk,” says Rodge Gyabaah Yeboah, Founder of Akro Farms

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Young farmer and founder of Akro Farms, Rodge Gyabaah Yeboah, has called on financial institutions and national stakeholders to rethink their perception of agriculture, describing the sector as one of the most secure and scalable investments in Ghana today. “Farming is not a risk. I can go into a contract with anyone and guarantee delivery,” he stated during an episode on Ghana Grows Edwuma with host Araba Koomson. Mr. Gyabaah Yeboah, who runs his irrigation-powered farm near the Bui Dam in the Bono Region, says the issue is not a lack of interest in farming, but rather a lack of structured support. “Imagine feeding 500 people from one farm. If we had just ten more like Akro Farms, that’s 5,000 people sorted. Food should not be a national crisis,” he said. The trained electrical engineer transitioned to full-time farming, utilizing drip and overhead irrigation systems that he funded 90 percent from his savings. He currently grows okra and pepper, and plans to add onions in the coming season. “Drip irrigation saves water and avoids fungi growth, but it’s expensive. Most young people can’t afford it without help,” he explained. He also raised alarm over the impact of illegal mining on agriculture, especially its effect on human resources. “You need people to work on a farm, but many young men are abandoning agriculture to chase quick money from galamsey,” he said. “They don’t realize it’s destroying the land we all depend on.” Mr. Gyabaah Yeboah encouraged the youth to consider agriculture not just as a fallback, but as a legitimate path to financial freedom. “If you want to be stable and build something lasting, start small, get the right knowledge, and farm. It’s better than fraud or illegal mining.” About Ghana Grows Edwuma Ghana Grows Edwuma is a nationwide broadcast aired on TV and radio, aimed at encouraging young people to take up career opportunities in the agribusiness, agriculture, and ATVET sectors.