“Africa must feed itself”: Scholars, innovators rally youth to transform agriculture

Agriculture has long been perceived by many young people as a “dirty” or unprofitable venture. To challenge this misconception and reposition agriculture as a powerful driver of opportunity, a two-day conference on Agricultural Innovation for Africa was held at the Cedi Conference Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon, on October 9.

The event, organised by Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC), brought together experts, policymakers, and innovators to encourage young Africans to see agriculture and agribusiness as viable, lucrative, and sustainable career paths.

Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana, Professor Godfred A. Bokpin, emphasized that Africa remains the world’s youngest continent in terms of population. “Africa is not only young—it is vibrant, ambitious, and full of potential,” he said. “And that is precisely why it must invest heavily in agriculture, agribusiness, and agro-processing.”

He noted that people under 40 consume the most food, yet they are often the least involved in producing it, adding that a young continent with such a strong demand for food cannot afford to invest less in the sectors that feed it.

Professor Bokpin observed that although Ghana and Africa have both recorded positive economic growth, this growth has not been inclusive.

“It has not been driven by the labour-intensive sectors of the economy; the very sectors where most Africans and Ghanaians earn their livelihood. That is why, even with impressive growth numbers, we continue to see rising poverty and widening inequality,” he said.

He stressed that the old “trickle-down” theory of economic growth has failed Africa. He posited that the continent must be deliberate in engineering growth that benefits all.

The Director of the Presidential Initiative in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA) at the Office of the President, Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, echoed the importance of youth inclusion in agricultural transformation.

He noted that young people should not be seen merely as beneficiaries of agricultural development but as active architects of research, innovation, and productivity in the sector.

“A closer look at our national agricultural landscape shows that every major government initiative today is youth- and women-driven,” Dr Otokunor stated.

“You dare not go to President Mahama with any programme or initiative that is not youth-centred or women-centred. Every policy must answer two key questions: How many jobs will it create, and how many women will it empower?” he added.

He added that all government programmes and initiatives are innovation-led and sustainability-focused, reflecting the strong belief that the future of African agriculture rests in the hands of young people.

“As an agricultural economist, I believe that the sustainability of our food systems depends not only on innovation but also on the ability of Africa’s youth to lead productivity-driven change.”

The youth bring with them energy, creativity, digital fluency, and a willingness to experiment with modern technologies that can revolutionise how Africa produces, processes, and distributes food,” he said.

Dr Otokunor noted that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the Government of Ghana has placed young people at the heart of agricultural policy and investment.

The conference also featured voices from the recycling industry, who shared experiences and mentored young participants.

Story by: Fati Ali Wehyemeh