The MTN Ghana Foundation has launched a GHS1.2 million initiative to empower smallholder women farmers and unemployed youth with modern agricultural skills, in a move aimed at boosting productivity, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The intervention, which will directly benefit 160 smallholder women farmers and 140 unemployed youth, forms part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day under the theme “Give to Gain.” The initiative underscores the Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting women in agriculture and addressing youth unemployment through sustainable, skills-based interventions.
As part of the programme, the Foundation will establish a model farm at Pantang Hospital in the La Nkwantanang Municipality. The facility will serve as a practical training hub where an initial group of 60 women farmers will be equipped with advanced agricultural techniques to improve yield, efficiency, and overall farm productivity. The model farm will also serve as a demonstration centre for climate-smart agriculture, irrigation methods, soil management, and the application of modern technologies in farming.
The model farm initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the La Nkwantanang Municipal Agriculture Department and Defarmercist, partners providing specialized expertise in agronomic support and capacity building to ensure the long-term success and scalability of the project. Extension officers and technical experts are expected to provide continuous mentoring, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure that beneficiaries fully adopt best practices.
The initiative also forms part of the Foundation’s broader efforts to celebrate and support women in agriculture, recognizing their critical contributions to food production, household income, and national development. By focusing on women and youth, the programme aims to address structural gaps in access to resources, training, and opportunities within the agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at Pantang, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, emphasized that the model farm represents a key component of MTN’s commitment to empowering women and promoting inclusivity within the agricultural sector.
She explained that MTN Ghana, through its Foundation, continues to invest strategically in initiatives that create shared value for communities, particularly in areas that directly impact livelihoods. According to her, agriculture presents enormous opportunities for job creation, food security, and economic transformation when supported with the right tools and knowledge.
“This initiative is not only about improving farming practices but also about empowering women economically, reducing unemployment among the youth, and building resilient communities. At MTN, we believe that by combining innovation with practical skills training, we can unlock the full potential of the agricultural sector and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she stated.
She further disclosed that the first cohort of 30 unemployed youth is currently undergoing intensive training at the Vegetable Hub of Excellence at the University of Ghana, Legon Farms. The training programme focuses on modern vegetable production, agribusiness management, post-harvest handling, and market access strategies to ensure participants are well-equipped to either start their own agribusinesses or gain employment within the sector.
Participants of the programme are also expected to act as ambassadors of change within their communities by sharing knowledge and supporting other farmers to adopt improved agricultural practices. The Foundation has indicated plans to replicate the model farm concept in other regions across Ghana, depending on the success of the pilot phase.
Lydia Aku Fiatuho, Head of the Agriculture Department at the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly, commended the Foundation for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful. She highlighted the crucial role women play in agricultural production, noting that they constitute over half of the agricultural workforce and remain central to ensuring food security in the country.
She urged beneficiaries to take full ownership of the project, remain committed to the training, and apply the knowledge gained to improve their productivity and livelihoods. She further stressed that sustained dedication from participants would be key to the long-term success and expansion of the initiative.
In line with MTN’s strategic vision to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress, the Foundation is also piloting smart farming initiatives, including the integration of digital tools for farm monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and access to market information. These innovations are expected to improve efficiency, reduce losses, and enhance profitability for farmers.
Additionally, the Foundation has established a Vegetable Hub of Excellence at the University of Ghana in partnership with the University of Ghana School of Agriculture and Defarmercist. The hub serves as a centre for research, innovation, and hands-on training, contributing to the modernization of Ghana’s agricultural sector and building the capacity of the next generation of agripreneurs.
Since its establishment in November 2007, the MTN Ghana Foundation has served as the vehicle for implementing MTN’s corporate social investments in Ghana, focusing on health, education, and economic empowerment. To date, the Foundation has undertaken over 178 major projects nationwide, reaffirming its commitment to improving lives and supporting sustainable development across the country.
For more details, stakeholders and members of the public can contact the MTN Ghana media office via email at mtnghana.mediaoffice@mtn.com or visit the Foundation’s official website for further information on its programmes and impact.
