Accra, December 12, 2025 –
The MTN Ghana Foundation has officially inaugurated a Vegetable Centre of Excellence at the University of Ghana’s School of Agriculture, marking a major investment of over GH¢3 million aimed at transforming students and young people into innovative job creators in the agricultural sector.
The state-of-the-art facility, handed over ahead of the National Farmers’ Day celebrations, will be managed by agronomic solutions provider Defarmercist.
It is designed to equip students of the School of Agriculture, unemployed youth, and smallholder farmers with hands-on, market-ready agricultural skills to enable them build sustainable careers and enterprises.
The programme will provide practical training in crop management, irrigation systems, sustainable farming practices, and modern greenhouse production.
Participants will also gain exposure to seedling nursing, smart irrigation installation and scheduling, transplanting, fertigation management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling.
The solar-powered centre comprises three greenhouse structures, a fully equipped training and conference room, administrative offices, boreholes, and water reservoirs to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply.
Speaking at the inauguration, MTN Ghana CEO, Stephen Blewett, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to driving real economic growth through innovation.
“With this significant investment in this Centre, in collaboration with the University of Ghana and Defarmercist, we are establishing a symbol of modern agriculture. Students, young entrepreneurs, and smallholder farmers will be trained in innovative techniques, sustainable practices, and digital greenhouse management.
Today, you can control your entire world from your phone, and agriculture is no exception,” he stated.
Mr. Blewett added that the Centre is intentionally designed to shift beneficiaries from job seekers to job creators.
“Modern farming is lucrative, viable, and high-tech. This project represents a long-term investment in Ghana’s food security, economic stability, and, most importantly, human potential,” he noted.
The Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, emphasized the Foundation’s focus on sustainability and scalable impact.
“For us, impact is key. We prioritise initiatives that are scalable, far-reaching, and accessible to those who might otherwise remain unemployed.
We learned from the Defarmercist team that it takes just three months to go to market, and with the right tools and support, many more young people can access meaningful employment,” she said.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development at the University of Ghana, Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, described the hub as a vital bridge between theory and practice.
“Students who engage with this hub will gain confidence, practical skills, and networks that make them both employable and entrepreneurial from day one. This partnership shows that when the private sector, academia, and development-oriented foundations align, the results can be transformative,” he explained.
Also speaking at the event, Kwasi Etu-Bonde, Technical Adviser to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, commended the partners for the initiative, noting that it aligns with government efforts to make agriculture more attractive to the youth while contributing to job creation and national well-being.
Samuel Agyemang, Co-Founder of Defarmercist Group, highlighted the Centre’s role in redefining agriculture for young people.
> “Students will see firsthand how technology transforms farming into a profitable and sustainable business. By the time they graduate, they will not be job seekers but job creators, ready to drive innovation in agribusiness,” he said.
The event was attended by teachers and students from Presbyterian Senior High Technical School, Aburi, beneficiaries of MTN Ghana Foundation’s Smart Farming Initiative under its 2024 employee volunteer programme, who joined in celebrating the milestone.
Story by Henry Ameyaw
