By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi
Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) has said it is working to challenge the negative perceptions surrounding youth involvement in agriculture, aiming to inspire young people to view the sector as a source of opportunity and innovation.
According to Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC, agriculture is not only a critical sector for economic growth but also a gateway to innovation, sustainability and resilience. He believes the agricultural industry holds vast untapped potential for young people in Ghana.
To encourage sustained interest among the youth, KIC, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES), has awarded several schools and students under its flagship School Farm Award initiative, with Okanta Presbyterian School and Tamale Girls’ Senior SHS winning overall best for the basic and senior high school categories, respectively.
Also, all STEM Coordinators and 50 top schools were recognised and awarded for their commitment and participation.
The winning school for SHS category was given five desktop computers, whereas the winner for basic category had four desktop computers as well as other prizes for their feat.
At the awards ceremony held in Kumasi, Mr. Gyan-Kesse highlighted the importance of nurturing an early interest in agriculture among Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) students, emphasising that it empowers them to view agriculture as a dynamic sector where they can make a significant impact.
“Through this programme, students not only gain essential skills in science, technology and practical farming, but they also learn invaluable lessons in teamwork, leadership and problem-solving—skills that will benefit them in any career path they choose,” he said.
The School Farm project
In February, KIC took over the School Farm programme from the Blue Skies Foundation. Since then, KIC and its partners—GES and the Mastercard Foundation—have worked tirelessly to expand the programme’s reach and impact. Today, the programme reaches over 550 schools across the country.
According to Mr. Gyan-Kesse, this expansion allows KIC to involve more students in hands-on agricultural education, helping them connect with the land, their communities and the vast opportunities the agriculture sector offers.
He expressed KIC’s ongoing commitment to providing young people with platforms for career development in agriculture through the School Farm Competition, where more than 42,000 students have been trained through the project.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Mastercard Foundation and the GES STEM Directorate, whose collaboration has been crucial in driving the programme across the country. Their leadership has been instrumental in moving this programme forward. We also extend our deep gratitude to all teachers, headteachers, STEM Coordinators and community supporters who share our vision of transforming the narrative around agriculture for young people,” Mr. Gyan-Kesse noted.
Mr. Gyan-Kesse expressed confidence in the award recipients, praising their enthusiasm, commitment and leadership in re-imagining agriculture for a new generation.
“Your curiosity, hard work and dedication inspire us all. I am confident that the impact of your efforts will reach far beyond your school farms. Let this award remind you that as you learn today, you can contribute to transforming our nation’s agricultural sector through innovation and technology, addressing critical challenges like climate change and food security,” he said.
Director of STEM at GES, Olivia Serwaa Opare, commended the School Farm project as one of the key learning activities in STEM education, emphasising its focus on competence-based learning. She praised Tamale Girls, Methodist Girls and Peki Senior High School for their exemplary presentation skills, which demonstrated collaboration, digital literacy and empirical research.
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