Young innovators shine at ‘Ghana Grows AgroFusion Festival’
THE second edition of the Ghana Grows AgroFusion Festival concluded with a celebration of innovation in agriculture, agribusiness, and Agriculture Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET), recognizing some of Ghana’s brightest young entrepreneurs.
Audrey Forson, CEO of Tekura Designs, Longue Sylvester Abdul Razak of Sly Farms, and Mildred Akotia of Akwaaba Foods were named Young Innovators of the Year for their remarkable achievements in these sectors.
Each received a citation, a plaque, and a cash prize of GH¢15,000, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Kenya to connect with fellow agripreneurs and explore best practices.
Beyond the top three, seven other finalists were celebrated for their contributions to agribusiness. These included Edna Frimpong, also known as Shoemakergurl, Edna Vorsah of Herb Garden, Emmanuel Twene of QET Organic Farms Limited, Martha Opoku of Deahenkan Foods Limited, Munkaila Mohammed of DolcaFresh Fruit Juice, Nikki Okrah of Chaku Foods, and Elselund Ewudzie Sampson of Big Samps Market. A special recognition was given to KEAD, an innovative project by students from Aburi Girls Robotics Club.
The awards were presented in Koforidua as part of the Ghana Grows AgroFusion Festival, a platform designed to highlight and support the efforts of young innovators in agriculture and ATVET, particularly focusing on women and people with disabilities.
In her keynote address, Rica Rwigamba, Country Director for Mastercard Foundation in Ghana, commended the festival’s role in empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering connections with key industry players in the agricultural sector.
“I applaud the innovations and contributions of these young people to the agriculture sector. Their stories, featured in the newly launched Changing Narratives book, demonstrate how young minds are driving change and progress,” she stated.
Rwigamba encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and deepen their understanding of challenges like climate change while contributing to the growth of agriculture and ATVET across Africa.
“The interactions and insights gained at this festival will, I hope, be empowering and catalytic for all of you,” she added.
One of the festival’s highlights was the launch of the book Changing Narratives, which features 200 success stories of young entrepreneurs from all 16 regions of Ghana who are making strides in agriculture, agribusiness, and ATVET. The book aims to showcase the transformative power of youth-led innovations in these sectors.
Throughout the two-day event, participants benefited from coaching sessions with resource persons and industry players, including the Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) and the Food and Drugs Authority.
These sessions provided practical guidance on how to enhance personal skills, tap into opportunities, and thrive in the agricultural sector.
Mrs. Comfort Ocran, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, expressed her appreciation to the Mastercard Foundation for its ongoing support.
“The remarkable achievements of these young innovators are a testament to the commitment of Mastercard Foundation and our partners. We remain dedicated to igniting young dreams and enabling them to achieve their full potential,” she said.
Audrey Forson, one of the top awardees and Managing Director of Tekura Designs, shared her hope of inspiring more young women to explore opportunities in technical and vocational sectors
She vowed to use her position as President of the Interior Designers and Decorators Association Ghana (IDDG) to mentor the next generation of women leaders in the field. Similarly, Longue Sylvester Abdul Razak of Sly Farms, who oversees 50 acres of crops including maize, groundnuts, soybeans, and yam in Wa East and West districts, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and support provided by the Ghana Grows Programme.
