GAFET to Create Sustainable Jobs for Ghanaian Youth – Agric Minister

GAFET to Create Sustainable Jobs for Ghanaian Youth – Agric Minister

The Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, Hon. Eric Opoku, has described the Ghana Agriculture Fund for Education and Transformation (GAFET) as a major initiative aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities for the youth while strengthening Ghana’s agricultural sector.

According to the Minister, the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between agricultural education and practical employment by equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and resources required to build sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.

Hon. Eric Opoku made the remarks during the official launch of GAFET, an initiative being spearheaded by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to promote agricultural education, skills development and transformation.

He explained that Ghana’s agricultural sector has enormous potential to absorb the growing number of young people entering the job market, but this potential can only be realised through deliberate investment in human capital and modern agricultural education.

The Minister stressed that the government considers agriculture not only as a means of producing food but also as a powerful avenue for job creation, entrepreneurship and economic transformation.

He said GAFET would therefore help provide the necessary support for young people to acquire relevant agricultural skills and participate meaningfully in the sector, with the ultimate objective of creating decent and sustainable jobs.

Hon. Eric Opoku further noted that strengthening agricultural education would help change the perception of agriculture among the youth and encourage them to view the sector as a viable and profitable career rather than merely subsistence farming.

He emphasised the importance of linking education to practical opportunities, innovation, technology and value addition to ensure that graduates and young people entering agriculture can develop competitive businesses and contribute to national development.

The Agric Minister also called on stakeholders, including educational institutions, private-sector players, development partners and other organisations, to support GAFET and contribute to building a new generation of skilled agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs.

He maintained that investing in the youth through agricultural education and skills development is an investment in Ghana’s future, particularly at a time when the country needs sustainable solutions to unemployment, food security and economic growth.

The launch of GAFET is therefore expected to strengthen the connection between agricultural education, skills development, entrepreneurship and job creation, while supporting the government’s broader vision of transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector into a modern, productive and employment-generating industry.

Source:Bibianinews.com