In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth in northern Ghana, the Agrihouse Foundation has launched a transformative initiative dubbed the ‘Boost-To-Bloom’ project.

The programme aims to empower 20,000 young people, including women and persons with disabilities, by equipping them with the skills and resources needed to venture into the horticulture value chain.

Backed by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Mastercard Foundation under the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) Programme, the project marks a major step forward in unlocking the commercial potential of horticultural crops in the five northern regions: Upper East, Upper West, Northern, North East, and Savannah.

A Springboard for Youth Employment and Agripreneurship

The ‘Boost-To-Bloom’ project seeks to position horticulture—specifically tomatoes, peppers, and onions—as a viable avenue for youth employment and entrepreneurship. Through structured training, capacity-building bootcamps, and the creation of agribusiness hubs, the initiative is set to create opportunities along every segment of the horticulture value chain—from production and processing to input distribution and marketing.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, emphasized the deeper purpose of the initiative. “We are not just growing vegetables,” she said. “We are growing the next generation of agrientrepreneurs who can compete, add value, and transform communities.”

The training will also emphasize financial literacy, cooperative governance, leadership development, and innovative business models to enable the youth to launch and sustain their own agribusinesses.

Agriculture remains the backbone of the rural economy in northern Ghana. However, structural challenges such as market fragmentation, lack of value addition, limited access to land and finance, and high post-harvest losses have historically hindered growth. These challenges have made it difficult for young people to view agriculture as a viable livelihood option.

The ‘Boost-To-Bloom’ project is designed to address these barriers directly. It incorporates interventions that ensure market access, improve input supply systems, and link young farmers to both local and export markets. By promoting processed products such as tomato paste, pepper powder, and dried onions, the project adds value to primary produce and reduces post-harvest losses.

Inclusion at the Core

A key component of the initiative is its inclusive focus. Agrihouse has pledged to ensure that marginalized groups, especially young women and persons with disabilities, are given a fair chance to participate and thrive in the agricultural sector. These groups often face systemic challenges in accessing land, capital, and leadership opportunities.

“Through this project, we are creating an enabling environment where everyone has a chance to succeed,” said Dr. Betty Annan, Country Director of AGRA Ghana. “We are focused on building systems, not silos, and this approach aligns with AGRA’s commitment to inclusive agricultural transformation.”

To make this a reality, the project will use regional bootcamps and agribusiness hubs to deliver tailored support and mentorship. Participants will receive tools, inputs, and training to help them launch horticulture enterprises, operate input dealerships, and provide critical services along the value chain.

The project is also aligned with Ghana’s national development goals, particularly its efforts to grow the non-traditional export sector. By building an ecosystem that promotes value addition and international market linkages, ‘Boost-To-Bloom’ has the potential to increase the country’s agricultural exports and foreign exchange earnings.

The inclusion of tomatoes, onions, and peppers—crops with both high domestic demand and export potential—suggests a strategic approach to integrating local agricultural development with broader economic goals.

Over the next four years, Agrihouse Foundation aims to reach and impact 20,000 young people across the northern regions of Ghana. The initiative represents not just an agricultural intervention but a social and economic movement aimed at reshaping perceptions around farming, building entrepreneurship, and achieving sustainable rural development.