KNUST and Mastercard Foundation Empower 32 Young Agripreneurs Through Nkabom Collaborative Pitch Session

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has successfully hosted a business pitching session for 32 graduates of its Multi-purpose Integrated Programme (MIP). This event, organized under the KNUST Nkabom Collaborative, represents a significant milestone in the university's mission to drive youth-led innovation within Ghana’s agricultural sector. By providing a platform for these burgeoning agripreneurs to present their business models, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between academic training and sustainable enterprise development.

The MIP is a comprehensive, year-long training framework designed to equip participants with both the technical and managerial skills required to thrive in modern agriculture. The curriculum is split into three distinct phases: three months of intensive classroom instruction, followed by six months of hands-on experiential learning, and a final three-month mentorship period. Throughout the program, the 32 participants focused on high-value disciplines such as greenhouse vegetable production and agribusiness management, ensuring they possess the practical expertise to manage profitable and resilient ventures.

For many participants, the program has been transformative in shifting their career outlooks. Abdul Rahman Muniru, one of the trainees, shared that the experience radically changed his perspective on the agricultural sector; where he once considered seeking opportunities abroad, he now recognizes the immense potential for growth and wealth creation within Ghana. Similarly, Mary Owusu highlighted the value of the technical training she received, specifically in greenhouse technology, which she believes is the key to modernizing local food production and ensuring long-term business profitability.

Prof. Wilberforce Achiaw Owusu-Ansah, speaking on the objectives of the pitching session, emphasized that the event was structured as a refinement process rather than a traditional competition. Rather than simply ranking the participants, the goal is to evaluate the readiness of each business idea and provide the necessary institutional and financial support to help viable ventures scale. By focusing on local community impact, the KNUST Nkabom Collaborative aims to create a new generation of agricultural leaders who can contribute to national food security and economic stability.