ECOM-SMS Ghana launches Agriculture Our Future Clubs in 40 schools

Sustainable Management Services (SMS), a subsidiary of ECOM Ghana, has officially launched its "Agriculture Our Future Clubs" initiative across 40 basic schools in 12 districts. This strategic program aims to cultivate a renewed interest in agribusiness and environmental conservation among basic school students. By targeting the youth, the initiative seeks to address a critical demographic challenge: the steadily increasing age of Ghana's agricultural workforce, which currently averages 55 years old, particularly within vital cocoa-growing regions. At the launch event, Emmanuel Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized the urgent need to reshape how the younger generation perceives the agricultural sector. He noted that for too long, farming has been viewed as a back-breaking, low-reward activity rather than a sophisticated and profitable career path. To support this shift, the initiative encourages educators to stop using farm labour as a form of punishment for students, a practice that has historically fostered negative associations with the land and food production. The clubs are designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in various facets of the industry, including agribusiness management, entrepreneurship, and modern environmental conservation techniques. These activities are carefully structured to prioritize child protection and safety while demonstrating the economic potential of modern farming. Stakeholders present at the event also raised concerns about the removal of Agricultural Science from the basic school curriculum, arguing that such educational gaps make private sector initiatives like these clubs even more essential for national food security. By fostering a new generation of "agri-preneurs," ECOM-SMS aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of Ghana's agricultural landscape. The initiative has received broad support from local stakeholders who believe that early exposure to the scientific and business aspects of farming is the most effective way to secure the country’s economic future. As the clubs begin operations, the focus will remain on transforming agriculture into a sought-after profession that can provide stable livelihoods for the youth.