JUN
23
At a recent meeting to review the progress of the VET Ecosystem for Employability in Ghana initiative, project lead Dr.SHAIBU ISHAK emphasized the disconnect between academia and industry and outlined how the initiative aims to bridge the gap.
“We want to develop a broader network of stakeholders and resources working together to transition towards a sustainable and resilient climate-smart agricultural sector. While we may draw from external experiences, our approach will adapt these to our local resources and capacities, allowing us to take ownership of a sustainable process,” he explained.
Dr. Shaibu pointed out that many academic institutions train students based on set curricula, which sometimes leaves graduates unprepared for industry demands, leading to employers having to retrain them.
“This project aims to create a network of stakeholders and resources working to align academia with the labor market. Beyond production, agriculture must prioritize environmental sustainability through climate-smart practices,” he added.
Climate-smart agriculture is critical for food security and environmental sustainability. However, in Ghana, the adoption of climate-smart technology by farmers and processors is more challenging than ever.
This project aims to establish vocational excellence in climate-smart agriculture, providing high-quality skills and competencies that lead to sustainable careers in an innovative rural economy.
The initiative is focused on strengthening Agricultural Training and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) institutions, aiming to enhance the skills and knowledge within agricultural colleges and farm institutes.
Dr. Eli Gaveh , a project member, shared optimism about agriculture’s future through digitalization. He noted that connecting farmers to markets remains a challenge and that digital solutions could help reduce post-harvest losses.
“Currently, the connection between farmers and markets is quite weak, but digitalization offers a way to easily link them, helping to reduce the high levels of post-harvest losses in our agricultural system,” he said.
“When we approach farming, we must see it as a business rather than a hobby. By equipping students with both technical and soft skills, we can better prepare them for industry needs,” He stressed.
Funded by the European Union, the project is a joint initiative involving Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kwadaso Agricultural College, Maastricht School of Management CINOP Global American Farm School, Bunash Enterprise and Farms and Rights Advocacy Initiative Network(RAIN).
The meeting was attended by dignitaries including Prof. Dadson Awunyo-Vitor, Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Camilus Abeiwura Wognaa, and Principal of Kwadaso Agricultural College, Albert Appiah Amoakoh.
