A recent study has unveiled that a significant majority of young individuals hold a favorable outlook on agriculture and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

According to the study, over 91 percent of the respondents expressed their willingness to work in these sectors provided they receive the requisite training and acquire the necessary skills.

This research was commissioned as a part of the Ghana Grows Programme, a collaborative effort involving the Mastercard Foundation, the Springboard Road Show Foundation, and Lyme Haus. Its primary objective is to alter the negative perceptions surrounding agriculture and TVET.

During the program's launch, Mrs. Comfort Ocran, the Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, explained, "Ghana Grows is a three-year initiative encompassing a series of comprehensive interventions designed to inspire young people aged 15 to 35, particularly young women, to explore opportunities and actively pursue rewarding careers in agriculture, agribusiness, and TVET."

The survey, which gathered the opinions of more than 1,100 randomly selected young individuals aged 15 to 35 from all 16 regions of Ghana, revealed that 46 percent of those surveyed were currently unemployed, with 36 percent holding tertiary degrees.

Mrs. Ocran highlighted that the findings showcased the commendable awareness among young people about the agriculture and ATVET sectors. Over 80 percent of them recognized that these fields encompassed professions beyond traditional farming, including economists, scientists, and engineers. However, only 40 percent were aware of the programs and opportunities available to youth, 33 percent were informed about initiatives for women, and 24 percent were aware of programs for individuals with disabilities.

She emphasized that the Ghana Grows Programme was focused on reshaping young people's perceptions of agriculture, agribusiness, and TVET. It also aimed to engage with policymakers in these sectors.

Recognizing the positive attitude young individuals hold toward these sectors, the organizers stressed the importance of leveraging this positivity, improving their perceptions, and establishing an enabling environment with clear pathways for their participation in agriculture and ATVET.