ECOM Ghana launches Agriculture Our Future Clubs in 40 basic schools

Sustainable Management Services (SMS), a wing of ECOM Ghana, has officially launched the "Agriculture Our Future Clubs" initiative across 40 basic schools in 12 districts. The programme is designed to ignite interest in farming among the youth and address the looming threat of an ageing farmer population in Ghana. With the average age of a Ghanaian farmer currently standing at 55—a figure particularly high in cocoa-producing regions—the initiative seeks to reposition agriculture as a viable, modern, and attractive career path for the next generation.

The clubs will offer students practical, hands-on experiences in agribusiness, environmental conservation, and entrepreneurship. Beyond teaching farming techniques, the curriculum emphasizes child protection and safety to ensure a holistic and secure educational environment. During the launch, Emmanuel Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized the necessity of changing negative perceptions about the sector, noting that agriculture must be viewed as a professional industry rather than a fallback for the uneducated.

Stakeholders at the event identified several cultural and systemic hurdles that the initiative aims to overcome. Educators were strongly urged to stop using farm work as a form of punishment in schools, a practice that reinforces the idea that agriculture is a penalty rather than an opportunity. Furthermore, there was criticism regarding the removal of Agricultural Science from the basic school curriculum, with participants arguing that such policy shifts undermine the practical training necessary for national food security.

The initiative has received widespread support from local stakeholders who view it as essential for the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s agricultural sector. By providing tools, mentorship, and a structured platform, ECOM Ghana aims to foster a new cohort of young "agripreneurs" capable of modernizing the industry. The rollout across the initial 12 districts is expected to serve as a model for future expansion, ensuring the country’s backbone industry is revitalized by youthful innovation and energy.