From Unemployment To Empowerment: A Policy Proposal For Ghana’s Youth In Agribusiness

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

Cc: Hon. Minister for Food and Agriculture; Hon. Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture; Hon. Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development; Chief Executive Officer, Youth Employment Agency

Your Excellency,
A Petition for the Consideration and Adoption of the “Integrated Youth Agribusiness Empowerment (IYAE) Policy” Proposal

Warm greetings in the name of national development, social transformation, and shared prosperity.

With great humility and a deep sense of patriotic responsibility, I write this open letter, on behalf of numerous concerned citizens, community leaders, educators, and unemployed youth, who strongly believe that Ghana’s future prosperity lies in addressing two of our most pressing national concerns: Youth Unemployment and the Underperformance of our Agricultural Sector.

Your Excellency, while I commend your ongoing efforts to invest in agriculture and provide opportunities for the youth, I humbly and urgently petition your esteemed office to consider and adopt a scalable, innovative, and transformative policy proposal known as the Integrated Youth Agribusiness Empowerment (IYAE) Policy.

This is not just another intervention program. The IYAE Policy represents a bold, data-driven, and people-centered national strategy that tackles unemployment, rural underdevelopment, and food insecurity all at once.

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS NOW
Ghana is at a crossroads. On one hand, we face a growing crisis of youth unemployment, with thousands of graduates roaming the streets without meaningful work. On the other, our agricultural sector - once the engine of Ghana’s economy – has become increasingly stagnant, plagued by outdated methods, limited support for innovation, and rising imports.

The consequences are alarming: rising rural poverty, urban congestion, increased youth despair, and growing interest in risky or criminal alternatives like illegal mining, internet fraud, and gambling.

I believe decisive action is needed now more than ever, and the IYAE Policy provides the framework for that action.

THE IYAE POLICY: A NATIONAL SOLUTION FOR YOUTH AND AGRICULTURE

The IYAE Policy proposes the creation of cooperative agribusiness units, each legally registered and composed of five youth professionals:

• A seasoned farmer (with practical knowledge)
• An agriculture or agribusiness graduate (for technical expertise)
• An accounting graduate (to ensure financial transparency)
• A marketing or business graduate (for sales and branding)
• A sector-specific professional (depending on the agricultural area; e.g., aquaculture, logistics, animal husbandry, etc.)

These groups would be officially recognized by the Registrar General and District Assemblies and would operate within the oversight of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Each unit would receive:

• Structured training in agribusiness management
• Access to milestone-based subsidized loans, disbursed through rural/agricultural development banks
• Technical support from extension officers
• Equipment produced by local artisans, boosting other industries and creating ripple effects in job creation

Importantly, this framework ensures accountability, sustainability, and inclusivity. It moves away from partisan, politically manipulated handouts, and empowers the youth, regardless of political affiliation, to contribute meaningfully to national development.

STRATEGIC IMPACT
If adopted and implemented, the IYAE policy will:

• Engage thousands of unemployed graduates in productive, modern agriculture
• Revitalize Ghana’s food production and reduce reliance on imports
• Empower rural communities and reduce migration to urban centers
• Create ripple effects of job creation across industries
• Curb youth frustration and redirect energy toward nation-building
• Help Ghana become a net exporter of agribusiness products within the next decade

PILOT PHASE AND IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP

I propose a pilot program in 10 districts, selected across different agro-ecological zones and focused on high-impact sectors such as:

• Maize production
• Poultry farming
• Pig farming
• Aquaculture
• Shea processing
• Vegetable farming and irrigation (Onion, Tomatoes, etc.)
• Among others

This 12-month pilot will be monitored, evaluated, and adjusted for a full national rollout. Strong accountability, loan recovery mechanisms, and market linkage strategies are embedded in the full proposal.

AN OFFER TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION
Your Excellency, this petition is not a mere suggestion - it is a policy framework ready for adoption. A detailed proposal document, including implementation timelines, financial models, training modules, and expected impact metrics, is available.

Should your office or any relevant ministry require further information, I will gladly submit the full document and avail myself to participate in technical consultations.

A CALL TO DECISIVE ACTION
I respectfully urge your office to:

1. Officially adopt the Integrated Youth Agribusiness Empowerment (IYAE) Policy into the next national budget cycle.
2. Instruct the Ministries of Agriculture and Local Government to begin preparatory coordination with MMDCEs.
3. Mandate the Youth Employment Agency to support recruitment, training, and logistics.
4. Publicly declare the depoliticization of agricultural support programs, making inclusion based on merit and group preparedness - not partisan ties.

CONCLUSION
Mr. President, the politics of progress is the politics of courage. Ghana’s youth are not looking for sympathy. They are looking for opportunity - a platform to work, contribute, and lead. The IYAE Policy offers a rare opportunity to convert that desire into national prosperity.

I believe your government has the vision, the will, and the track record to implement such a transformative policy. With the right support and funding, this initiative can transform our rural economy, reduce youth frustration, and cement your legacy as the leader who truly empowered the next generation.

I should have submitted the actual proposal to you behind closed doors. But how? I am not a political enthusiast, but a patriotic citizen and a boy who sang your name “JJ Bie John Mahama” in the streets of Bamboi anytime you visited. So this could be the only means to get through to you, maybe!

The youth are watching. The world is watching. This is the moment to act.

Yours in nation-building,
Francis Jebuni
Bamboi, Savannah Region
0248304542
[email protected]