AAC Urges Graduates to Become Job Creators as Government Allocates 750 Acres for Vegetable Production

The African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, has secured 750 acres of irrigated land at Konadu in the Kwahu Afram Plains from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to establish a large-scale vegetable production facility.

The land allocation forms part of a partnership between the Ministry and AAC aimed at converting investments in agricultural infrastructure and human capital into increased food production, employment opportunities, and commercial agribusiness development.

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, announced the agreement while welcoming 118 Ghanaian graduates who had been sponsored by AAC to pursue postgraduate studies at the People’s Friendship University and RUDN University in Russia over the past two years.

The Konadu Irrigation Project, located in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District, is a major agricultural infrastructure facility equipped with centre-pivot irrigation systems under the Afram Plains Export-LED Agricultural Enhancement and Irrigation Project (APEEIP).

The returning graduates completed postgraduate programmes in disciplines including crop production, soil and plant health, sustainable agriculture, climate change, environmental protection, and natural resource management.

According to Mr Opoku, the government has made the irrigated land available while AAC has committed to providing the logistics needed to establish the vegetable production facility.

“The Ministry has established an agreement with the AAC, and under that agreement, 750 acres of irrigated land at Konadu have been allocated to AAC to provide logistics to establish a vegetable production facility,” he stated.

He further explained that AAC would also be responsible for paying the irrigation water fees to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.

The Minister described the collaboration as the type of public-private partnership Ghana needs to unlock its agricultural potential and accelerate the implementation of the Feed Ghana Agenda.

“This partnership between the private sector and agricultural development is exactly the kind of collaboration Ghana needs to achieve sustainable growth,” Mr Opoku said.

The allocation of the irrigated land represents a major milestone for AAC, whose scholarship programme was designed not only to provide academic qualifications but also to develop professionals capable of applying their expertise to address Ghana’s agricultural and environmental challenges.

Speaking on behalf of the Board and Management of the Jospong Group and AAC, Dr. Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong described the return of the graduates as a significant achievement under the scholarship programme.

She disclosed that 88 of the graduates specialised in agriculture-related fields, while 30 studied ecology, providing the country with highly skilled professionals in both agricultural production and environmental management.

“Our intention was not simply to award scholarships or support young people to obtain additional certificates. Our goal was to develop a new generation of professionals who will return home with the knowledge, discipline, exposure and confidence required to contribute to Ghana’s agriculture and environmental transformation,” she said.

Dr Agyepong stressed that the next priority is to ensure the graduates transform their academic knowledge into practical economic activities that benefit the country.

“The test before us now is to ensure that their knowledge does not remain in certificates, research or academic presentations, but is translated into productive farms, strong agricultural enterprises, improved environmental practices, innovative technologies, employment opportunities and measurable national impact,” she added.

She explained that access to the 750 acres of irrigated land presents an ideal opportunity to achieve that objective.

According to her, the graduates require access to productive land, irrigation facilities, financing, markets, research support, mentorship, and institutional partnerships to successfully transition from education into productive agriculture.

Dr Agyepong called for a structured collaboration between AAC and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to strategically deploy the expertise of the returning graduates in support of Ghana’s agricultural development priorities.

She noted that such collaboration could focus on agricultural production, research and extension services, mechanisation, climate-smart agriculture, environmental restoration, value addition, and the establishment of new agribusiness enterprises.

“What is required at this stage is a deliberate bridge between education and resources and institutional support. They must be able to move beyond seeking employment and begin creating businesses, improving productivity and generating opportunities for others,” she stated.

She revealed that AAC is already developing a practical reintegration framework that will expose the graduates to commercial agriculture, agricultural research, mechanisation, environmental management, value chain development, and entrepreneurship.

The organisation, she added, is prepared to work closely with relevant directorates within the Ministry to identify areas where the graduates can contribute to ongoing government programmes and national agricultural priorities.

Dr Agyepong said the graduates possess the expertise needed to contribute to strategic crop production, sustainable land and water management, climate resilience initiatives, waste recovery, and the development of modern agricultural enterprises.

She emphasised that AAC does not want the returning graduates to spend years searching for conventional employment but instead hopes they become entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, project partners, and problem-solvers.

“We want them to build enterprises, support farmers, strengthen value chains and introduce practical solutions to the challenges confronting Ghana’s agriculture and environmental sectors,” she said.

She further stressed that achieving this vision will require close cooperation among government, the private sector, universities, research institutions, and local communities.

“When these actors work together, education becomes enterprise, research becomes production, and young people become drivers of transformation.”

Dr Agyepong reaffirmed that AAC and the Jospong Group remain committed to providing opportunities for the graduates to apply their knowledge through real-world agricultural and environmental projects.

For his part, Mr Opoku challenged both AAC and the returning graduates to produce measurable results from the investments made in education, land, and irrigation infrastructure.

“We are making available the land with irrigation infrastructure. AAC has pledged to make available all the logistics that are required. And so you must show us the difference. You have the responsibility to demonstrate the difference,” he said.

The Minister explained that the partnership will cover cultivation, production, processing, storage, value addition, marketing, and the commercialisation of strategic agricultural commodities.

He noted that the initiative is expected to strengthen Ghana’s food security, create employment, reduce imports, and boost agricultural exports.

Mr Opoku also encouraged the graduates to become agents of transformation within Ghana’s agricultural sector.

“Ghana has invested in you through the opportunities created by your sponsors. And today, your country looks to you to become catalysts for transformation,” he said.

He urged them to embrace innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in solving the challenges confronting farmers and agribusinesses.

“The future of agriculture belongs to those who are innovative, technologically driven and committed to excellence.”

Government Commends Jospong Group’s Investment

Mr Opoku praised the Jospong Group and the African Agribusiness Consortium for their significant investment in human capital development and agribusiness infrastructure.

“I wish to commend the African Agribusiness Consortium and the Jospong Group of Companies for demonstrating visionary leadership through this remarkable investment in Ghana’s human capital. It is a bold and commendable initiative,” he stated.

He further encouraged other private-sector organisations, agribusiness companies, development partners, and industry stakeholders to emulate the initiative by investing in Ghana’s youth.

“Investing in young people is one of the greatest investments any nation can make,” the Minister added.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is expected to visit the Konadu irrigation site in the coming months to monitor progress and assess the anticipated increase in vegetable production under the project.