AgriConnect Ghana Initiative Empowers Students with Laptops and Connectivity for Agricultural Education

AgriConnect Ghana, a collaborative effort between SOFTtribe and the Mastercard Foundation, has commenced the distribution of laptop computers to students at three prestigious universities in Ghana. Starting on February 5, 2024, students at the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast (UCC), and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have begun receiving their laptops and connectivity. The initiative aims to support education and training for young individuals, including women and persons with disabilities, who have an interest in agriculture.

Under the leadership of Antonio Tetteh, CEO of SOFTtribe Limited, AgriConnect has garnered significant support, with over 1,000 students already benefiting from the program. Mr. Tetteh emphasized the importance of the proof-of-concept phase and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to realizing AgriConnect’s objectives. The initiative seeks to expand its reach to benefit more schools and students in the near future.

At its core, AgriConnect aims to incentivize youth participation in agriculture by leveraging technology to create sustainable career opportunities in the industry. Mr. Tetteh expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm shown by faculty and students from the participating universities, highlighting the project’s potential to scale up and provide opportunities to a wider audience.

The initiative includes ten participating institutions, including agricultural colleges and universities across Ghana. Over 3,500 students have already signed up for the program, which offers supplementary courses such as value chain development, agribusiness and entrepreneurship, and digital literacy. These courses are designed to complement existing curricula and better prepare students for the job market.

While students are required to contribute a small portion of the cost for the computers and connectivity, they will have ownership of the devices after the program concludes. Additionally, they will receive connectivity for one year to support their learning journey. As AgriConnect continues to gain momentum, it is poised to transform the agricultural landscape in Ghana by empowering a new generation of skilled individuals committed to the industry’s long-term sustainability.