Empowering Ghana’s Youth: Leading for Change Equips 70 Future Agricultural Leaders
In groups, participants collaborated to identify local challenges and developed Action Learning Projects (ALPs) to create effective solutions, demonstrating their leadership in action.
The Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK Activity concluded two rounds of its Leading for Change (L4C) program in the Upper East Regional capital Bolgatanga. This four-day training took place from May 13 to 16, 2024 for Cohort 2 participants and from May 27 to 30 for Cohort 3. The training equipped 70 young Ghanaians (42 males and 28 females) with the skills to become future leaders in the agricultural sector.
The program attracted participants from across five regions: Upper East (2 participants), North East (2 participants), Upper West (13 participants), Greater Accra (4 participants), and Northern (49 participants). These young individuals aged 18 to 29, from universities, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, came together to hone their leadership abilities, enhance their interests, and enable their participation in agricultural policy processes.
In a gesture of unity, participants and their facilitator fist bump, highlighting the teamwork spirit of the L4C training.
The program’s curriculum focused on fostering a growth mindset, strategic influencing techniques, and emotional intelligence – all essential for effective leadership. The lively and interactive training sessions included active group discussions on various leadership scenarios, solidifying the participants’ understanding and application of the concepts.
The learning did not stop there. The participants actively collaborated to create Action Learning Projects (ALPs), which are hands-on projects where they can apply their newfound knowledge to real-world problems. Over the next three months, with continued support from L4C trainers, these young leaders will implement their ALPs, directly addressing prioritized recommendations from Policy LINK's landscape and climate change assessments.
These projects target key areas critical to Ghana's agricultural future:
Climate Change Awareness: Raising awareness among farmers about the impact of climate change on their livelihoods and agricultural practices.
Boosting Youth Involvement: Advocating for policies and initiatives that empower young people to play a more significant role in the agricultural sector.
Green Jobs for a Green Future: Educating youth on the opportunities and benefits of pursuing careers in sustainable agriculture.
Cohort 2 participants leap in celebration, marking the completion of their transformative training experience in Bolgatanga.
The participants shared their diverse perspectives gained from the training. They sounded eager to return to their regions and contribute to positive change. Jacob, from the Upper West Region, echoed the sentiment, stating, "Before L4C, I felt limited by a fixed mindset. This training has empowered me to see my full potential and instilled a growth mindset, motivating me and my fellow participants to achieve new goals in agriculture."
Another participant remarked, "Public speaking and team collaboration were challenges for me. However, this program has enhanced my communication skills and provided me with the confidence to lead. It has been an amazing opportunity for impactful learning and experience sharing. I have learned a lot from the facilitators and my colleagues."
After advocating for the government to prioritize youth in agriculture, through the ALP, “I hope to see impact in the form of policy changes, increased awareness and education, and improved attitudes and behaviors”, said another participant. Touched by the program's influence on him, a participant proposed integrating the L4C training modules into the national education curriculum.
The diverse perspectives participants shared and their interest to cause change in communities show the program's impact. One that extends beyond skills development and potentially ignites long-term change within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Resources
Read more stories from Policy LINK’s Ghana team.