In a bold move to merge education with practical agriculture, Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff, officially launched the governmentโs School Farm Initiative yesterday at a lively ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School in Accra. The initiative, part of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), seeks to transform Senior High Schools nationwide into thriving centers of food production and agricultural innovation.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Debrah emphasized that the program is designed not only to equip students with hands-on farming skills but also to foster a deeper understanding of sustainable food systems. โOur schools can be hubs of learning and production. By engaging students in agriculture, we empower them to contribute to Ghanaโs food security while gaining essential life skills,โ he said.
The initiative will see schools receive technical support, seeds, farming equipment, and guidance from agricultural experts. By linking classroom lessons to real-world farming practices, the government aims to make agriculture an appealing career path for Ghanaโs youth.
Education and agricultural experts in attendance lauded the program for its innovative approach. Madam Afua Mensah, a senior education officer, remarked, โThis initiative shows the governmentโs commitment to practical education. Students will now experience firsthand the value of hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurship.โ
Hon. Debrah concluded by urging students to embrace the opportunity, noting that their participation is crucial to Ghanaโs vision for a self-sufficient and food-secure nation.
The School Farm Initiative is set to roll out in phases across the country, promising a new era where education and agriculture grow hand in hand.
By Julius Blay-JABS
