KIC and Mastercard Foundation unveil the next generation of agricultural leaders at the 2024 School Farm Awards

The 2024 edition of the School Farm Awards Ceremony, organized by Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, was held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on November 8, 2024.

The event which sought to celebrate the dedication and innovation of junior high and senior high school students nationwide in the field of sustainable agriculture, brought together relevant stakeholders in education and agriculture, as well as representatives from the Mastercard Foundation. Present at the event were Mr. Joe Mensah, KIC Board Chair; Nana Akyena Kwagyan Nuama V, Chief of Essuowin in the Ashanti Region, who is also the Director of New Ventures at Kosmos Energy Ghana and was the Chairperson for the event; Mrs. Olivia Serwa Opare, National Director, STEM Directorate, Ghana Education Service; Prof. Dadson Awunyo-Vitor, Provost College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, KNUST; Mr. Gottfried Odamtten-Sowah, Head of Entrepreneurship, Mastercard Foundation; Prof. James Osei Mensah, Vice President of Ghana Society of Agribusiness Scientists (GSAS), Associate Professor of Agribusiness Management, Department of Economics, KNUST; Ms. Boatemaa Quansah, Crops Officer, MOFA, Ashanti Region, among others.

The School Farm Competition, started as an initiative of Blue Skies Foundation, to create awareness about agriculture among young people and create a pipeline of talent within the agricultural sector. Also, the program supports Technology and ICT education when winning schools are awarded ICT equipment for their school ICT Centres. The program started with 3 regions in the south of Ghana. In 2022, through KIC’s partnership with Mastercard Foundation, KIC partnered with Blue Skies to scale up the programme and to reach more schools nationwide. Two years down the line, the 2024 edition witnessed more than 500 schools taking part in the competition.

Delivering the welcome address, Executive Director of KIC, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse reiterated KIC’s commitment to transforming Ghana’s agricultural landscape by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth.

“The School Farm Competition exemplifies our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a resilient agricultural economy, by training students on school farm projects and providing them with the necessary resources and mentorship. We are training a new generation of youth who will ensure the future of sustainable agriculture in Ghana,” he said.

Commenting further, Mr. Gyan-Kesse expressed appreciation to Mastercard Foundation saying, “We are also grateful to the Mastercard Foundation for its continued commitment to empowering young people providing them opportunities for work-readiness and skills training, for fulfilling jobs.”

In his remarks, Mr. Joe Mensah, encouraged students to see the opportunities to in promotion of sustainable agriculture, which also contributes to national development.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Prof. James Osei Mensah, Vice President of Ghana Society of Agribusiness Scientists ( GSAS), Associate Professor of Agribusiness Management, Department of Economics, KNUST, highlighted the importance of helping young people identify viable opportunities in agriculture and agribusinesses by highlighting the agricultural production as well as marketing and the economic aspect of agricultural activity, through program such as the School Farm Competition.

In her remarks, Mrs. Olivia Serwa Opare, National Director, STEM Directorate, GES emphasized the importance of STEM Education and commended the program for focusing on key aspects of collaborative and empirical learning, as well as presentation skills that are vital for Teaching and Learning in STEM Education.

Taking his turn, Alistair Djimatey, Public Affairs Manager for Blue Skies Company highlighted the importance of agricultural education and food security, and the opportunities that young people could consider for future careers in agribusiness and agriculture.

“Agricultural education is the cornerstone of food security and sustainable development. By exploring diverse opportunities within agribusiness and agriculture, young people can become the innovators and leaders who drive our agricultural sector forward. At Blue Skies, we are committed to supporting and inspiring the next generation to pursue these vital careers, ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for all,” he said.

In recognition of her exceptional contribution and support for STEM education and agricultural innovation, Madam Olivia Serwa Opare, National Director, STEM Directorate, GES received a citation in her honour. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Directorate, GES was also recognised.

The School Farm Competition is not only in recognition of the relentless enterprising hard work and dedication of students who participated in this year’s program, but also underscores the vital importance of agriculture in shaping the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.

Below is the full list of winners

• Most Entrepreneurial School went to Okanta Presbyterian School
• Most Committed School: Goriyiri R/C JHS
• Most Innovative School: Bepong Senior High School
• Most Committed Project on Soil And Environmental Protection: Topp Basic School
• Discovery Of The Year: Sawla 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]
• Ashanti School For Deaf, Savelugu School For the Deaf and Garden City Special School received awards for Most Inclusive Schools
• The Lemuel Mantey Agric Leadership Award: Nashiru Abugri [Peki SHTS]
• The Ruth Smith Adjei Award: Alice Karikari [Head of Agriculture Department: of Yaa Asantewaa Girls School
• The Dr. Anthony Pile Special Recognition Award: Mesharck Okunnor [Okanta Presbyterian School]
• Best Junior High School Award:
• Goriyiri R/C(3rd Runner Up)
• Badu Nyamebekyere MA Basic School (2nd Runner Up)
• Greater Heights International School (1st Runner up)
• Nana Joe Mensah Award for Winner for Overall Best Junior High School went to Okanta Presbyterian Basic School (Overall winner)
• Overall Best SHS Award:
• St. John’s Grammar (3rd Runner Up)
• Peki Senior High Technical School (2nd Runner up)
• St. Joseph’s Technical Institute (1st Runner Up)
• Nana Joe Mensah Award for Overall Best SHS was awarded to Tamale Girls SHS.
• In addition, all STEM Coordinators were acknowledged for their contribution towards the program. Best Stem Co-Ordinators Recognition Award went to Rosemary Ahiadeke, for the Southern Belt, Mr. Frederick Owusu, for the Middle Belt and Mr. Wuni Nazini Wudana, for the Northern Belt.