MTN Ghana Foundation And University Of Ghana's New Agricultural Hub Aims To Transform Students Into Innovative Job Creators

 MTN Ghana Foundation has officially inaugurated the Vegetable Center of Excellence, an investment exceeding GHC3 million, at the University of Ghana’s School of Agriculture. The facility, which was handed over prior to the national farmers' day celebration, will be managed by the agronomic solutions provider Defarmercist.

It aims to equip students of the School of Agriculture and other Ghanaian youth with practical agricultural skills that will empower them to pursue careers in agriculture. The program will also provide students with practical skills in crop management, irrigation systems, and sustainable farming methods. Additionally, it will extend opportunities to unemployed youth and smallholder farmers seeking to expand their farms and enterprises.

The solar-powered facility features three greenhouse structures, a fully equipped training and conference room, and administrative offices, along with boreholes and water reservoirs to ensure a sustainable and consistent water supply. The training modules will cover seedling nursing, smart irrigation installation and scheduling, transplanting, fertigation management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling.

At the ceremony, MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett emphasized that the facility reflects the company's commitment to promoting initiatives that foster real economic growth. He reiterated that MTN Ghana’s broader vision is to create an inclusive, bold new digital world that incorporates agriculture. “With this significant investment in this Center, in collaboration with the University of Ghana and Defarmercist, we are establishing a symbol of modern agriculture. Students, young entrepreneurs, and smallholder farmers will receive training in innovative techniques, sustainable practices, and digital greenhouse management. Today, you can control your entire world from your phone, and agriculture is no exception,” he stated.

Blewett highlighted that the Center is designed to help beneficiaries transition from job seekers to job creators. “Modern farming is lucrative, viable, and high-tech. You can build a successful career and earn a good income while engaging in meaningful work. This project represents a long-term investment in Ghana’s food security, economic stability, and most importantly, human potential”, he said.

Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, also underscored MTN Ghana’s commitment to sustainability, noting that the Foundation prioritizes initiatives that deliver long-term, scalable impacts. “For us, impact is key. We want everything we do to be scalable, far-reaching, and accessible to those who might otherwise remain unemployed. We learned from the Defarmercist team that it takes just three months to go to market, and with the right tools and support, many more young people can gain access to meaningful employment,” she said.

Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development at the University of Ghana, remarked that the hub provides a vital link between theory and practice. “Students who engage with this hub will gain confidence, practical skills, and networks that will make them both employable and entrepreneurial from day one.

This partnership demonstrates that when the private sector, academia, and development-oriented foundations align their investments, the outcomes can be greater than the sum of their parts, resulting in a platform for transformation,” he explained.

Kwasi Etu-Bonde, Technical Adviser to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, commended MTN Ghana Foundation, the University of Ghana, and Defarmercist for this sustainable initiative, adding that it significantly contributes to job creation and the well-being of Ghanaians. He noted that the initiative makes agriculture more attractive to young people.

Partnerships like the collaboration between the University of Ghana and Defarmercist, supported by funding from the MTN Ghana Foundation, enhance the government’s efforts to make agriculture appealing to the youth.”

Samuel Agyemang, Co-Founder of Defarmercist Group, emphasized the Center’s role in attracting young people to agriculture. “Students will witness how technology transforms farming into a profitable and sustainable business. By the time they graduate, they will not be job seekers but job creators, ready to drive innovation in agribusiness,” he stated.

Teachers and students from Presbyterian Senior High Technical School, Aburi, who benefited from MTN Ghana Foundation’s smart farming initiative during its annual employee volunteer program in 2024, attended the event to celebrate the occasion.