Accra, Oct. 10, GNA – The third edition of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference has been held in Accra, charting the course for opportunities in innovation, technology, and youth entrepreneurship to enhance food security.
The two-day session provided the platform for Africa’s next generation of innovators to be inspired to take the future of the continent’s food security into their hands.
Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), in partnership with Kosmos Energy and AGRA, hosted the event, bringing on board policymakers, investors, industry experts, private sector and agribusiness leaders.
“The AIA conference platform has been created by KIC to give young people and industry experts the opportunity to engage, network, gain insights into opportunities for transforming the agricultural sector,” Mr Benjamin Gyan-Kesse…, the KIC Executive Director noted.
“This is through innovation and technology that support the growth of youth led agri-MSMEs and start-ups,”
He underscored the importance of collaborative partnerships within and across industries to support youth innovations.
“At KIC, we remain open to partnerships that amplify our collective impact – partnerships that empower young people, strengthen agribusinesses, and promote sustainable growth,” he said.
Mr. Gyan-Kesse noted that the KIC’s programmes had already supported agritech entrepreneurs and impacted thousands of young people across Ghana.
“We currently have 81 funded startups that are in the 16 regions of Ghana. We also work together with partner universities and colleges, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and Kosmos Energy, to drive agricultural innovation and transformation for young people and their communities,” he stated.
Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, Ghana, commended the KIC for prioritising innovation to transform the agri-Industry, and empowering start-ups and young entrepreneurs to grow and scale.
He highlighted the strides government was making in the agro sector to create direct and indirect jobs in the sector.
Policy initiatives such as the School Farm, he said, were meant to create awareness for young people on job opportunities within the sector.
Dr Betty Annan, Country Director of AGRA, lauded the conference’s focus on youth-led innovation.
She admonished the youth to take advantage of entrepreneurship development training in addition to any other skills they had, to make an impact in the the agri-Industry and ensure sustainability.
The conference was chaired by Professor Godfred A. Bokpin, an Economist and Professor of Finance, University of Ghana.
Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, an Agronomist and Development Specialist, gave thought-provoking notes to start off the conference proceedings, as the conference provocateur.
Also present were the KIC Board Members.
Topics discussed at the programme included Food Innovation and Product Development, Youth at the Centre of Agricultural Transformation, Digital Tools Transforming Food and Agriculture, and Addressing Resilient Climate Change.
Some key highlights of the event wereMasterclasses on Food Regulation and Compliance by FDA, Food Preservation and Storage Techniques by the CSIR’s Food Research Institute, as well as an Agribusiness Clinic by Africa Skills Hub.
Young start-ups seeking potential investors were given the opportunity to prove themselves in Deal Room where young they pitched their businesses to potential investors.
The conference also hosted a marketplace exhibition of start-up innovations, products and services within the sector.
The resource persons at the event brought to bear their insights, knowledge and experience to contribute to policy consideration and implementation, highlighting the vast opportunities within the agricultural space that the youth could take advantage of.
The conference was on the theme: “African Youth Leveraging Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems”.
Promasidor, Evivi Foods, New Age, Complete Farmer, Qualiplast Ghana and Blue Skies Company supported the event.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage