KIC and Mastercard Foundation celebrate young agricultural innovators at school farm awards

The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) and Mastercard Foundation held the 2024 School Farm Awards on November 8 at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), celebrating the ingenuity and commitment of young students across Ghana to sustainable agriculture. The event, attended by leaders in education and agriculture, recognised students and schools for their achievements in sustainable agriculture and STEM education.

Prominent attendees included Mr. Joe Mensah, KIC Board Chair; Nana Akyena Kwagyan Nuama V, Chief of Essuowin and Director of New Ventures at Kosmos Energy Ghana; Mrs. Olivia Serwa Opare, National Director, STEM Directorate, Ghana Education Service (GES); and representatives from the Mastercard Foundation. Mr. Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC, highlighted the event as a testament to KIC’s mission to nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders in Ghana.

“The School Farm Competition exemplifies our commitment to fostering a resilient agricultural economy by training students on school farm projects,” said Mr. Gyan-Kesse. “We are grateful to the Mastercard Foundation for empowering young people with skills and opportunities for meaningful jobs.”

This year’s School Farm Competition, originally an initiative of Blue Skies Foundation, was scaled up by KIC and Mastercard Foundation to reach more than 500 schools nationwide. The competition, which started with three regions, now engages students from all corners of the country, encouraging them to explore agriculture as a viable career path.

Mr. Joe Mensah, KIC Board Chair, encouraged students to consider careers in sustainable agriculture, noting its crucial role in national development. Keynote speaker Prof. James Osei Mensah, Vice President of the Ghana Society of Agribusiness Scientists (GSAS), underscored the importance of helping young people understand the business potential within agriculture. He lauded the competition for combining production and marketing knowledge, which he described as vital for building successful agribusinesses.

Mrs. Olivia Serwa Opare, the STEM Director at GES, emphasised the programme’s alignment with STEM education goals, praising it for promoting practical learning and presentation skills that are essential for students’ growth in STEM fields. Mrs. Opare was honoured with a special citation for her contribution to STEM education and agricultural innovation.

Alistair Djimatey, Public Affairs Manager for Blue Skies, noted that agricultural education is essential for food security and sustainable development. “Young people exploring opportunities within agribusiness will become the innovators and leaders driving our agricultural sector forward,” he remarked.

Award Highlights
The School Farm Awards recognised students, teachers, and schools across various categories:

- Most Entrepreneurial School: Okanta Presbyterian School
- Most Committed School: Goriyiri R/C JHS
- Most Innovative School: Bepong Senior High School
- Special Young Leadership Award: Salman Basiratu Pagnaa (Tamale Girls SHS)
- Best Female Student JHS: Ewurama Mireku (Anyinem Girls School)
- Best Male Student JHS: Mensah Zakaria (Poponya Fantem Basic School)
- Best Female Student SHS: Isabela Amartey (Methodist Girls SHS)
- Best Male Student SHS: Joshua Borkatsey (Sogakope SHS)
- Best Teacher JHS: Priscilla Awuku (Eyiakrom BA Basic School)
- Best Teacher SHS: Abubakari Abdulai (Vitting SHS)

Additional awards were presented to the Ashanti School for the Deaf, Savelugu School for the Deaf, and Garden City Special School as Most Inclusive Schools. The Overall Best Junior High School award went to Okanta Presbyterian Basic School, while Tamale Girls SHS took home the Overall Best SHS Award.

In a final note of gratitude, KIC and Mastercard Foundation recognised all STEM Coordinators for their contributions to the program, with special awards for Rosemary Ahiadeke, Mr. Frederick Owusu, and Mr. Wuni Nazini Wudana as Best STEM Coordinators in their respective regions.

The School Farm Awards underline the essential role of agriculture in Ghana’s future, inspiring the next generation to embrace innovation and sustainability in the sector.