Government and NGOs Urged to Support Youth in Agriculture Amid Planned Power Outage in Cape Coast

In a recent commentary, Dr. Andrews Idun has called on the Ghanaian government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to bolster youth entrepreneurship in agriculture through financial support and capacity-building initiatives. He argues that mere awareness and training are inadequate to engage young people in farming, citing a study indicating that few participants from agricultural training programs actually pursue careers in agriculture without tangible support. The AgTractive Campaign, launched by the Ministry of Youth Development, aims to inspire youth by showcasing agricultural innovators and promoting modern agritech solutions. Dr. Idun recommends that financial incentives, improved infrastructure, and comprehensive training—including business strategies and mentorship—are essential for enhancing agricultural initiatives.

In a related development, residents of Cape Coast will experience a planned power outage on January 8, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. This outage is necessary for the replacement of a major transformer at the Cape Coast Substation, which will upgrade the existing 33MVA transformer to a new 66MVA unit. Richmond Rockson from the Ministry of Energy has assured the public that efforts will be made to minimize disruption, emphasizing the government's commitment to improving the electricity transmission network to meet growing demand. Both initiatives highlight the importance of infrastructure and support systems in fostering development in Ghana, whether in agriculture or energy supply.