The project

Ghana, a thriving democracy on the Gulf of Guinea, is often referred to as an ‘island of peace’ in one of the most challenging regions on earth. With a tropical climate it is one of the world’s leading cocoa exporters.

Agriculture dominates the economy, employing 40% of the population, but from 2009 to 2015 the industry’s contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product declined from 31.8% to 12.8%. Now, steps are being taken to reverse that trend in a country where the average annual GNP per capita is just $390 and half the population lives on a dollar a day or less.

Case IH has introduced a major project of education, to introduce new agricultural technologies and train local communities in modern farming practices. A project to train technicians who will help their communities produce crops more effectively and more efficiently. It is a collaboration with the government-backed Development Partnership with the Private Sector (DPP), Integrated Water Management and Agricultural Development Ghana Ltd (IWAD).

It is based at Damongo Agricultural College at Yagaba in the Northern Region, the largest of ten regions in the country but home to just 10% of the population – and the poorest.

Over 97% of adults work in farming, which is mostly done by hand or using animals to provide power.

The outcome of the project

Students empowerment

The initiative wants to stimulate industrialisation and entrepreneurship for young Ghana farmers. Students will learn a range of skills, from modern irrigation techniques and climate-smart management practices to the operation and maintenance of agricultural equipment.

This capacity building project will give students access to new employment, where they can transfer their new managerial competencies and further impact the industry. An empowerment of students based on education, technology and practice.

Economic development & industrialisation

The regional economy will benefit through greater productivity and revenues, while helping to stem the migration of young people to urban areas. This initiative is expected to create 15,000 new jobs and benefit the economy in Northern Ghana significantly. The key goal is to ensure that enough well-trained men and women graduate from Damongo Agricultural College. The project underlines Ghana’s efforts to attract foreign investment, create employment opportunities, and modernise agriculture activity.