A new generation of agricultural professionals has arrived home to help transform Ghana’s food security landscape, as 118 Ghanaian scholars returned from Russia after completing two years of postgraduate studies under a scholarship programme sponsored by the Jospong Group of Companies.
The scholars, who landed at the Accra International Airport, trained at the prestigious People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), where they specialised in agriculture, environmental sciences, climate change, waste management and sustainable development. They represent a wave of professionals expected to drive innovation across Ghana’s agricultural and environmental sectors in the years ahead.
Speaking at a reception held in their honour, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) and Executive Director of the Jospong Group, Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, said the scholarship formed part of the company’s long-term investment in human capital to support the country’s agricultural transformation.
“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 noted that the initiative was born out of concern that many young Ghanaians were losing interest in agriculture, making it necessary to deliberately nurture a new generation of skilled and passionate professionals.
“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.
According to her, AAC sponsored 120 students two years ago in partnership with RUDN University, and 118 of them successfully completed their programmes and have now 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,” she said.
Mrs Siaw Agyepong expressed confidence that the graduates would play a significant role in advancing food security, agribusiness development and environmental sustainability in the country.
“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.
She also expressed gratitude to RUDN University and the Embassy of Ghana in the Russian Federation for their support throughout the scholars’ 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.
Among 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 tackle environmental challenges.
Another beneficiary, Saviour Dotse, revealed that 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 noted that 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.
