Agric Minister Urges Youth to Embrace Innovation at Adwumawura Programme Launch

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, has called on Ghanaian youth to take advantage of government’s new Adwumawura Programme, which seeks to economically empower young people through innovation, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship.

Speaking at the onboarding and orientation ceremony for beneficiaries of the initiative at the Cedi Conference Center, University of Ghana, on Wednesday, the Minister described the programme as a “transformational epoch” in Ghana’s development journey.

He said the programme, introduced under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, is designed to restore hope and dignity, channel youthful energy into productive ventures, and strengthen the country’s socio-economic foundation.

“The Adwumawura Programme is an intentional pro-growth economic strategy that engages the youth in a productive and constructive manner to enhance growth and reduce poverty,” Hon. Opoku stated.

Highlighting challenges in the agricultural sector—including low productivity, high food import bills, and the continued export of raw products—the Minister noted that these difficulties also present “limitless opportunities for job creation, increased incomes, and value addition.”

Through the Adwumawura Programme, beneficiaries will be supported to drive innovation across the agricultural value chain, from production and processing to agritech solutions and value-added products. The Minister emphasized that this approach represents “SMART agriculture anchored on data and technology.”

He further announced that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) to support agripreneurs, particularly poultry farmers, under the Nkokonketenkete initiative. This will provide access to chicks, feed, cages, and extension services to boost productivity.

Other interventions under the government’s Feed Ghana Programme, he said, include the establishment of agro-industrial parks, farmer service centers, and expanded irrigation and mechanization projects, all of which are expected to generate sustainable jobs for the youth.

Hon. Opoku urged beneficiaries to take the opportunity seriously by adopting modern farming practices, mechanization, innovative processing techniques, and market-oriented strategies.

“Building a strong and resilient future requires you to avoid negative, manipulative, and double-faced companions. With strong determination and industry, we shall soon be the economic giants,” he advised.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, officials from the University of Ghana, NEIP executives, training partners, development partners, and representatives of innovation hubs.