Mastercard Foundation project creates 94,255 jobs, generates $13.2m

The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited, has created 94,255 jobs under its Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) programme since its implementation in December 2023. 

Aside from that, the project has produced 18.4 million tonnes of rice, 1.8 million birds and generated revenue of $13.2 million along the value chains of the four activities it is supporting.

This came to light at the HAPPY programme’s annual learning event held in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital, last Tuesday.

The meeting was to highlight the one-year achievement and re-strategise to improve on the project.

The HAPPY is a four-year project, focusing on four essential agriculture value chains, namely; rice, tomato, soybean and poultry.

So far, the project has 61,109 rice farmers made up of 33,649 females and 27,460 males and 28,940 soybean farmers consisting of 16,242 females and 12,698 males.

The project is targeting 70 per cent of women and persons with disability (PWDs) in agriculture, including rural youth.

It aims at increasing food production by 190,000 tonnes and boost productivity by 20 per cent to increase food security and nutrition by the end of the programme.

It leverages public sector investment such as infrastructure, creates systems shift, utilises strategic private sector partnerships as an entry point for technical capacity building, and access sustainable market, finance and entrepreneurship mindset.

Rolled out by a consortium of eight in 45 districts covering 235 communities in 13 regions, it is designed to equip young people with skills and tools to unlock job opportunities in production, agro-processing, distribution and marketing.

The implementing partners are the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, NewAge Agric Solutions, National Service Authority (NSA), Ghana Cares (MIDA), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), TechnoServe, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Jobberman.

Apart from increasing productivity, it promotes value addition, fostering entrepreneurship, facilitating market development and advancing youth, gender and social inclusion.

Speaking to journalists, the Head of the Entrepreneurship Development Company of MasterCard Foundation, Gottfried Odamtten-Sowah, said the programme targeted the creation of dignified and fulfilling jobs for young people.

He said Public Private Partnership (PPP) participation in the programme had contributed immensely to the  achievements chalked up so far.

Mr Odamtten-Sowah said there were several private sector entities willing and committed to supporting interested young people to venture into agriculture.

He said their outfit had helped women to break barriers, such as ownership of infrastructure and access to land, which were hindering them from venturing and reaching their full potential in agriculture.

"It was this reason why we are identifying and working with visionary partners who also believe in creating work opportunities for this young women," he said.

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The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agri-Impact Limited, Daniel Acquye, said the organisations were pooling resources to support young people to venture into the commercial production of commodities to reduce their importation.

He said each partner had a role to play to ensure successful implementation and achievement of the set goals.

He said the programme needed credible and willing private sector partners to invest and lead young people to acquire sustainable jobs.

Addressing hundreds of the youth, the CEO of Yedent Group of Companies, Kwame Ntim, urged the youth to take agriculture and its related opportunities seriously, explaining that they were the future of the country.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh