Agricultural venture spearheaded by the Middle Belt Authority to advantage 100,000 young individuals
The Middle Belt Development Authority (MBDA) has announced a wide-ranging plan aimed at fostering youth empowerment, human capital development, and regional growth in Ghana. The initiative, which includes an agribusiness project, nurse training, and arts and cultural villages, is set to commence before the end of 2022.
At the heart of this initiative is a focus on agribusiness, with the MBDA planning to establish agribusiness centres in the Eastern, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions. The project aims to train youth in modern farming techniques, including mechanised agriculture and greenhouse technology, as well as capacity building in agro-processing technologies.
In a bid to add value to agricultural products and prevent post-harvest losses, the MBDA is in discussions with agro-processing companies to sign off-taker agreements. These agreements are expected to provide a stable market for the produce, thereby encouraging investment in modern farming practices.
In a move to meet European job market standards, the MBDA is also in negotiations with partners in Germany for in-service training for Ghanaian nurses. Approximately 1,000 nurses will be considered for the initial phase of this programme, with the goal of eventually reaching 100,000.
In addition to these economic initiatives, the MBDA is also considering the establishment of arts and cultural villages. These villages are intended to provide opportunities for people in the creative industry, particularly in activities like kente weaving and wood carving. By promoting these villages as hubs for tourism and cultural preservation, the MBDA hopes to generate income for young people while preserving Ghana's rich cultural heritage.
Mr. Danquah, speaking at the handing over of infrastructural projects in the Nkoranza enclave of the Bono East Region, confirmed these announcements. Key projects handed over include a three-unit classroom block at Ahyiam and a 30-shed market centre at Asekye in the Nkoranza North district. The 30-shed market centre will serve as a trading point for maize aggregators in the area.
The total cost of these infrastructural projects is GH¢304,000. The MBDA has initiated numerous infrastructural projects to promote holistic development in the region. For more detailed and verified information about the MBDA's initiatives, we recommend consulting official sources such as the Middle Belt Development Authority’s website or Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture announcements.
- The agribusiness project by the Middle Belt Development Authority (MBDA) is establishing agribusiness centres for modern farming training in Eastern, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions.
- This project includes teaching youth about mechanised agriculture, greenhouse technology, and agro-processing capacity building.
- The MBDA is in discussions with agro-processing companies for off-taker agreements to aid in market stabilization and investment in modern farming practices.
- Besides agriculture, the MBDA is also negotiating in-service training for Ghanaian nurses with partners in Germany to meet European job market standards.
- The initiative aims to train 1,000 nurses initially, with a long-term goal of reaching 100,000 nurses.
- Arts and cultural villages are also being considered by the MBDA for creative industry opportunities, focusing on activities like kente weaving and wood carving.
- The MBDA has completed infrastructural projects such as a three-unit classroom block and a 30-shed market centre in Bono East Region's Nkoranza enclave, promoting lifestyle, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, career-development, and learning through skills-training.
