KNUST launches Nkabom to boost Ghana's agri‑food sector
KNUST has launched the Nkabom Collaborative Project on Farmers’ Day, a flagship initiative poised to transform Ghana’s agri‑food and nutrition ecosystem and generate thousands of jobs.
The ceremony was addressed by Mr Piere Brunache Jr., Director of the Nkabom Collaborative Secretariat at McGill University, Canada. He described the project as a platform that will create employment opportunities and nurture small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises across the country.
“This Centre will serve as a training ground for thousands of Ghanaians. The Nkabom Collaborative aims to create 55,000 jobs and establish 3,000 small‑ to medium‑sized enterprises,” Brunache said.
He added that young people will discover agriculture is more than production. “With tools like drones and other innovations, students and entrepreneurs will engage in experiential learning beyond the traditional classroom,” he explained.
In tandem with the launch, KNUST inaugurated the Agri‑Food Centre of Excellence in partnership with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). Project Lead Prof William Otoo Ellis said the centre will build capacity across agri‑food value chains and empower young Ghanaians to innovate.
“We hope that within the next ten years of implementing this project, lives will be transformed. It is not only about individual livelihoods; the impact extends to communities,” Prof Ellis stated, highlighting the significance of the Farmers’ Day timing.
Vice‑Chancellor Prof Rita Akosua Dickson reaffirmed KNUST’s commitment to national development through science, technology, and human capacity building. “The initiatives we are launching today respond directly to the urgent and emerging needs within Ghana’s agri‑food and nutrition sectors. As a university, we pledge our utmost support,” she said.
The Nkabom Collaborative brings together seven academic institutions, several government agencies, industry partners, NGOs, and local communities. The consortium aims to harmonise education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development under one umbrella.
The launch event featured an exhibition of innovative projects from various CANR departments, showcasing how research can translate into real‑world solutions for Ghana’s agriculture.
Stakeholders expect the project to catalyse economic growth, reduce youth unemployment, and improve food security. Follow‑up monitoring reports are slated for release later this year as the initiative moves from planning to implementation.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
