Student panelists in a group photograph with facilitators
The 2024 International Youth Day has been observed with the World Food Forum engaging senior high school students of Accra Academy on agricultural sustainability and its prospects in addressing youth unemployment.
Themed, “The Role of the Ghanaian Students in Sustaining the Agrifood System” it witnessed thought-provoking speeches from some industry stakeholders in the agriculture value chain.
Ghanaian journalist and host of ‘The Ghanaian Farmer TV Show’, Enyonam Manye entreated students to leverage social media technology to promote agriculture.
She said, “In sustaining Agrifood, one of our major problems is the availability of a market for our farm produce. What you can do is to use social media to market these produce and you can earn a living from that.”
Founder of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa said the World Food Forum’s celebration of Youth Day is a form of youth movement that seeks to acquire knowledge on how students can contribute to advancing the food system and its sustainability.
She said, “The youth on various stages have demonstrated that given the platform, resources and empowerment will be able to contribute meaningfully to the food system.” Our focus is to spark youth action to get them excited, trigger them to take up roles when it comes to driving change through our four key brackets thus culture, education, innovation, and advocacy.”
As part of the Youth Day celebration, a seven-member panel discussion was held consisting of students on the event theme. They include Joshua Addo, Godfred Oppong, Prince Afeti Aforve, Caleb Nartey, Mcbilly Edmund Elikem, Asante-Osei Karl Danso and Torto N.T Tobias.
They called on the government to formulate policies that seek to create opportunities for the youth aimed at reducing unemployment.
Coordinator for Ghana National Egg Campaign Secretariat, Comfort Kyerewaa Acheampong on her part highlighted the opportunities in agriculture while encouraging the youth to turn deaf ears to people who try to downgrade the sector through unfounded comments and gestures.
She urged students to venture into poultry production stating that it contributes enormously to rural economic growth and development.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke