The African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC), in partnership with the Jospong Group of Companies, has welcomed home 118 Ghanaian scholars who have completed two years of postgraduate studies in agriculture, environmental sciences and waste management in Russia.
They represent a generation of professionals expected to contribute to Ghana’s food security and sustainable development.
The scholars arrived at the Accra International Airport yesterday after they had completed graduate programmes at the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), where they received specialised training in agriculture, environmental sciences, climate change, waste management and sustainable development.
At a reception held in their honour, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AAC and Executive Director of the Jospong Group, Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, said the scholarship programme formed part of the company’s long-term investment in human capital to support the transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
She explained that after making significant strides in sanitation and waste management, the Jospong Group recognised the need to invest in skilled professionals who would drive innovation and productivity in agriculture.
“We decided to go into agribusiness because we realised that agriculture is not only about infrastructure or technology. It requires skilled professionals who are passionate about the work,” she said.
Mrs Siaw Agyepong added that many young people were gradually losing interest in agriculture, making it necessary to deliberately build a new generation of professionals capable of transforming the sector.
“As we became more involved in the agriculture sector, we realised that Ghana has enormous agricultural potential. Transforming the sector would require the active participation of a new generation of skilled and passionate young people,” she stated.
The CEO said that in partnership with RUDN University, AAC sponsored 120 students two years ago to pursue graduate studies, adding that 118 of them had successfully completed their programmes and returned home.
“The excitement is too much.
We are in awe of what the Lord has done.
They went as individuals; now they have come as a group.
They have come having gotten the global exposure.
They have come having gotten the skills that are required for Ghana’s agricultural sector and its transformation,” Mrs Siaw Agyepong said.
Mrs Siaw Agyepong expressed confidence that the graduates would contribute significantly to food security, agribusiness development and environmental sustainability.
“I believe their investment will not only be to the benefit of the individuals, but will also contribute to the backbone of the agriculture sector and the development of our country.
We are confident they will become change agents in their respective fields,” she added.
Partnership
Mrs Siaw Agyepong expressed appreciation to RUDN University and the Embassy of Ghana in the Russian Federation for supporting the students throughout their stay.
“I say thank you to the People’s Friendship University of Russia, RUDN University, for being a valued partner in this journey, and to the Embassy of Ghana in the Russian Federation for their unwavering support and commitment to the welfare of our students throughout their two years of studies,” she said.
Climate
One of the beneficiaries, Charlotte Opoku-Gyamfuah, who specialised in climate project management, said the programme had equipped the graduates with internationally recognised knowledge and practical skills to address environmental challenges.
Another beneficiary, Saviour Dotse, said about 30 employees of the Jospong Group benefited from specialised training in integrated solid waste management and project management to strengthen the company’s environmental sustainability agenda.
He said the exposure had enhanced their technical capacity in climate management, carbon emission reduction and sustainable waste management practices.
“We believe that what we have come to learn will enhance our capacities to manage issues of climate associated with our business model,” he said.
The scholarship programme, implemented through the African Agribusiness Consortium, forms part of the Jospong Group’s long-term commitment to education, sustainable development and building the human resource capacity required to modernise Ghana’s agriculture, environmental and waste management sectors.
