University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has organised this year’s “Nkabom Collaborative and Student Networking” programme at Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region.
The Nkabom Collaborative is a 10-year project involving eight universities in the country, the Association of Ghana Industries and McGill University in Canada, supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
By 2030, the Nkabom Project aims to provide a strong, diversified and fulfilling job for 55,000 young Ghanaians with a strong focus on women and vulnerable groups.
Nkabom Collaborative – UESD is designed to address sustainable agro-waste management, aquaculture technology and youth empowerment through three strategic pillars, namely Education, Access and Success and Entrepreneurship.
Universities
The Nkabom Student Networking Day saw the students from the participating Ghanaian universities showcase and share their passion with regard to their projects.
Over 17 stands showcased the projects of the Nkabom Collaborative for the three-day programme.
At the event, the Education Lead of the Nkabom collaboration at UESD, Professor Richard Amfo-Otu, said that as part of the programme, individuals were trained with expertise in turning agro-waste into valuable resources, equipping people with modern fish farming techniques to boost food security and income, jobs in green industries.
That, he said, was by providing long-term meaningful employment opportunities, empowering individuals to start and run their own eco-friendly businesses and also create eco-friendly job opportunities specifically for youth and women, fostering a sustainable economy.
Prof. Amfo-Otu thanked the researchers, students, entrepreneurs and industry partners for engaging the students openly and constructively with their ideas, experience and connections that could help transform promising ideas into practical solutions and sustainable enterprises.
He urged the students to leave with a new connection, a new idea or perspective and a concrete next step, adding, “I encourage you to be curious, open, generous and courageous.”
The Executive Director of HenMpoano, a non-governmental organisation, Kwame Agbogah, in a panel discussion said there was a job for the youth if they could take advantage of agricultural waste products.
Key message
“The key message is that there are opportunities for the youth in the post-harvest waste in agriculture to turn it around to bring it into the circular economy to make some profit and make a living in future out of post-harvest spaces,” Mr Agbogah stressed.
Mr Agbogah dwelt mostly on the fishery sector and how they could use it to benefit society.
He explained in detail how waste that was generated from fresh fish, which contained protein, could be used for fish feed.
A student from Ashesi University, Tehila Ogochukwu-Nweke, who spoke with the Daily Graphic, said she was impressed about the programme.
