AgriConnect Provides 1,000 Students with Laptops

Since February 5th, the AgriConnect team has been distributing laptops to students at the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast (UCC), and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

More than 1,000 students have already received their laptops and internet access, with many more expected to benefit in the upcoming months.

AgriConnect, a collaboration between theSOFTtribe and the Mastercard Foundation, aims to provide education and training for youth, including young women and individuals with disabilities, who are interested in pursuing opportunities in the agriculture industry.

Over 3,500 students from across the 10 participating institutions have already registered to be part of this new and innovative programme that has been designed to:

Provide 10,000 students enrolled in agriculture and agriculture-related adjacent faculties with laptops and connectivity.

Enable these students to participate in three supplementarycourses – value chain development in Agriculture, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, and digital literacy – designed specifically for the programme to augment the existing curricula taught in academic institutions to better prepare students for entering the labour market and accessing meaningful and fulfilling work after graduation.

Chief Executive Officer of theSOFTtribe Limited, Mr. Tetteh Antonio, expressed satisfaction with the strong interest and engagement in AgriConnect, especially from the faculty and students of the 10 participating institutions.

He emphasized the commitment to achieving the project’s objectives during this initial phase, aiming to eventually expand and offer opportunities to more schools and students. The focus is on encouraging youth to engage in technology-driven agriculture for sustainable career paths.

Over the upcoming weeks, the AgriConnect team will continue their roadshow at the participating universities, assisting students with registration, payment processes, and navigating the custom learning platform for the supplemental courses.

Students involved in the program are required to contribute 862 cedi, a fraction of the laptop’s cost, which they will keep after the program concludes, along with one year of provided connectivity.

AgriConnectis aligned with and designed to advance the Government of Ghana’s thrust to create an enabling environment to make agriculture an attractive and profitable venture for Ghanaian youth, creating both employment and sustainable livelihoods for the expanding youth population.

AgriConnect is in line with various national policies such as Ghana’s national economic plan, Ghana Vision 2020, and the National Youth Policy (2010).

Through AgriConnect, young people, including young women and individuals with disabilities, will receive devices to support their access to digitally-enhanced agricultural education and related sectors.

This initiative aims to broaden their access to employment opportunities and enhance their livelihoods.

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