Agritech innovator Evans Kyere-Mensah has called on young Ghanaians to change their perception of agriculture, describing the sector as a gateway to innovation, entrepreneurship and wealth creation rather than a last resort.
Speaking at the Ghana Youth Agriculture Summit 2026 on Friday, May 22, Mr Kyere-Mensah said the event was more than just a conference, describing it as an important discussion about Ghana’s future and the role young people must play in shaping it.
“Today is not just another conference. It is a conversation about the future of Ghana, and that future is sitting right here in this hall,” he told participants.
He noted that many young people have been conditioned to believe that success can only be found in corporate offices, urban centres such as Accra, or opportunities abroad, while agriculture is often viewed as a fallback option.
“For far too long, many young people have been made to believe that success only exists in offices, in suits, in Accra, or somewhere overseas. Agriculture has often been treated as a last option instead of one of the greatest opportunities of our generation,” he said.
Mr Kyere-Mensah, however, dismissed the perception that agriculture is associated with poverty, insisting that the sector offers enormous economic opportunities.
“Let me say this clearly today: agriculture is not poverty, and it is not punishment. Agriculture is a business, an industry, a technology-driven sector, and a pathway to wealth creation,” he stated.
He explained that food production and agricultural commodities remain at the centre of major value chains, with everyday consumption creating vast business opportunities.
“The food we eat every day is somebody’s business. Cocoa, cassava, maize, poultry, vegetables, fruits and livestock are all part of billion-dollar value chains,” he said, urging young people to position themselves to take advantage of opportunities within the sector rather than remain on the sidelines.
The agritech innovator also encouraged young people to start with the resources available to them instead of waiting for large amounts of capital, stressing that many successful businesses began on a small scale.
“Many young people are waiting for huge capital before they begin. But history shows that great businesses rarely start big. They start with vision, consistency and courage. Start small, start where you are, and start with what you have,” he said.
He explained that small ventures can gradually grow into large enterprises, pointing to examples in poultry farming, cassava production and digital agribusiness platforms.
“Do not underestimate small beginnings. The future millionaire in agriculture may begin with just one acre of land, a greenhouse, a poultry pen, a processing machine or simply one bold decision,” he added.
Mr Kyere-Mensah also highlighted opportunities available through institutions and initiatives such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the National Service Authority, youth entrepreneurship programmes, skills development initiatives, and agribusiness incubation schemes.
According to him, these interventions offer training, mentorship, financing, and enterprise development support, but emphasised that success ultimately depends on individual preparedness and willingness to take advantage of the opportunities.
He further described agriculture as a vast ecosystem that extends beyond farming to include logistics, technology, marketing, processing, exports, mechanisation, media, and innovation.
“Ghana is not short of opportunities. What is often missing is the confidence and courage to believe that we can succeed from where we are,” he said.
He added that the next generation of wealthy Ghanaians would not come only from traditional white-collar careers, but increasingly from agribusiness and agricultural innovation.
“To every young person here today, do not wait for perfect conditions or underestimate your humble beginnings. Your journey to success can begin today,” he said.
Mr Kyere-Mensah encouraged participants to use the summit as an opportunity to redefine their ambitions and take advantage of the many opportunities available within the agricultural sector.