Empowering Youth Leaders in Agriculture: The Leading for Change Program in Ghana
Nurturing Leadership for Agriculture and Climate Mitigation
Policy LINK’s innovative L4C program is more than just a leadership development initiative; it is a vehicle for positive change. Its mission? To nurture young leaders to actively participate in Ghana’s agricultural sector and empower them to shape sector policymaking.
By empowering young Ghanaians to take an active role in agriculture, the L4C program helps address a pressing problem: Ghana’s farmers are aging, and attracting youth to the sector is a challenge. Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture Yaw Frimpong Addo estimates that 95 percent of farmers are 55-65 years old, raising concerns about the country’s future food security and agricultural sustainability.1 As such, attracting youth to the sector is critical.
On January 30, 2024, the Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK (Policy LINK) Activity marked the end of its inaugural Leading for Change (L4C) program at a lively gathering in Jirapa in Ghana’s Upper West Region. The learning event brought together 34 dynamic young people from the Greater Accra, Northern, and Upper East Regions to reflect on their journeys in the transformative leadership development program. They also shared updates on the action learning projects that are an integral part of the L4C program.
From Kumasi to Communities: A Journey of Transformation
The L4C program kicked off in August 2023 with a four-day intensive training in Kumasi, the bustling capital of the Ashanti Region. Here, young leaders learned to develop a growth mindset, employ diverse leadership styles, use emotional intelligence when leading, and facilitate collaborative partnerships using strategic influencing tactics. They learned from seasoned experts and trainers and discovered the power of collective action. But the real magic happened when they returned to their communities.
Organized into five groups, these passionate young people designed and embarked on a three-month mission to implement action learning projects tailored to their local contexts. Their projects covered a range of topics, from sustainable agriculture practices to climate resilience strategies. Through the projects, L4C program participants:
Trailer to the Policy LINK-produced documentary showcasing women leaders in Ghana’s agriculture sector.
Raised awareness about climate change among students and community members through school-based programs and radio shows.
Helped train youth to serve as Community Climate Champions. Champions spearhead local initiatives to fight climate change and promote sustainable agriculture.
Educated farmers, students, and community members on climate-smart agricultural practices.
Promoted home gardening to increase access to food year-round, generate income, and improve nutrition.
Encouraged healthier eating habits through home gardening.
The closeout and learning event allowed participants to share their stories of personal growth, which embodied qualities such as innovation, determination, and hope.
Fatawu's Story: Thinking of Others
Fatawu Issaka shared how the program helped him understand empathy: “Learning about empathy made me think more about how my actions affect others. For example, at one point, I thought about leaving the climate change project. But then I realized how important our work was. The information we shared could help people in our community.” Fatawu's story shows the L4C program is about more than projects—it is about helping young people develop the qualities important for good leaders.
Shared Leadership: A Collective Journey of Growth
Lois Acolatse’s story captured the essence of the L4C experience: “The beautiful part of the project is that in as much as it was a team effort, it required everyone to be a leader in their own right. It was a matter of feeding off everyone's strengths and using them to achieve the group's goal. At times I didn't feel like I was the leader of the group because we were all leaders, and it was a matter of ensuring that everyone reached their end goal.” Lois' reflection underscores the program's emphasis on collaboration, where individual strengths are harnessed and collective ownership cultivates a sense of shared purpose.
Juliet’s Journey: From Doubt to Conviction
“I doubted my ability to speak and influence people to buy into an idea,” said Juliet, another program participant. Her team’s first task—selecting communities for the project—felt daunting. But then she realized something profound: Skills aren’t innate; they’re cultivated. “With practice, I can sharpen my abilities,” she said. Armed with newfound confidence, Juliet mobilized six young people in Gukpanarigu, a farming village in the Northern Region, to be trained as Community Climate Champions. These youths are now leading efforts to help their community adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
A Call to Action: The Gukpanarigu Chief’s Words
The program’s impacts resonated far beyond its participants. The Chief of Gukpanarigu, where L4C program participants implemented an action learning project, stressed the critical role of youth leadership in addressing climate challenges.
According to the Chief, the action learning project served as a wake-up call for everyone in the community. “I remember about 13 trees whose fruits we used to enjoy in our youth, but sadly, they no longer exist due to our actions and the effects of climate change,” he said. “I remember about 13 trees whose fruits we used to enjoy in our youth, but sadly, they no longer exist due to our actions and the effects of climate change,” he said. "We must continue educating ourselves about climate change." He was happy the project was led by youths, as youth are the future. Moreover, he noted, "With their energy, they produce remarkable results when engaged in these types of activities."
“Youth are the heartbeat of Ghana’s future. That is why this program is about empowering the next generation who are interested in building a more food-secure and climate-resilient Ghana", said Yunus Abdulai, Country Lead of Policy LINK. He explained that the L4C program aligns perfectly with the project’s mission to enhance the inclusion and participation of marginalized groups in Ghana’s agriculture processes.
“The dedication and talent of these young Ghanaians, who form the first cohort of the L4C program, are an inspiration. We have seen the results and the emerging positive changes from their action learning projects and we look forward to them creating more impact in their communities,” he said.
A Brighter Horizon
As the sun set on the closeout event, the L4C participants stood united. Their action learning projects were not merely projects; they were seeds of transformation. Over the next two years, Policy LINK will build on the successes of this initial cohort by extending the L4C program to more young people who can lead Ghana’s agriculture policy processes now and in the future.