Horticulture in Ghana for a brighter future

Why was this project started?

The horticulture sector in Ghana is growing fast and has great economic potential for young people to find a job or to become an entrepreneur themselves. For this, the education needs to be more practical, entrepreneurial and more close partnerships are needed with the private sector in Ghana. This project takes a comprehensive and integrated approach to horticulture: first, by working with the Kwadaso Agricultural College and communities to increase awareness and with regard to the importance of horticulture for the agriculture sector; then, by partnering with local cooperatives/farmers and good agronomists and experts to provide trainees with relevant knowledge and skills; and finally, by working together with farmers to help them increase their productivity after acquiring and utilizing improved inputs and new technologies and by linking vegetable farmers with the local, regional and international markets.

The results of the project so far

Already 20 lead farmers are involved and have received support that led to concrete returns (more profit, more yield).
Complete Training Needs Assessment, development of the course module and training-of-trainers of Kwadaso Agricultural College.
Two complete 4-month batches have graduated (in total 75 trainees trained) as well as existing students of Kwadaso Agricultural College that are following the practical horticulture skills and entrepreneurship skills (more than 500 students).
The training module is completely taught by the team in Ghana.
First start-ups/entrepreneurs have started a business in the horticulture sector.

What are specific, distinctive, strong elements in this project?

The project is completely implemented by a team that is based in Ghana and exists of Ghanaian experts. This ensures that it fits the local context, that all developed educational material is embedded at Kwadaso Agricultural College and that it is not dependent on external aid. Already after training the first batch of trainees, the second TVET module was fully ran by the Ghanaian team. This ensures sustainability and a working network of partners in and around Kumasi. Also the strong linkages with the private sector and the lead farmers is already showing concrete results - improving the horticulture sector as a whole.

Which specific lessons, do's and don'ts would you like to share? What would be suggestions for others when preparing or implementing the project in their own city?

Before you start a project either build upon a good relationship or put a lot of time and effort in creating this. Ensure local ownership, only then it will be sustainable. Don't put too much time in writing reports and meetings, also ensure concrete results/don't talk but really do things. Be transparent to your donor and ask flexibility of your donor, things will change, that's life. When working with partners, try to have a project that makes the daily work of every partner better and more fun.

Have others adopted, or shown interest in adopting, your idea in their own area?

Yes, within the EU Archipelago project it is seen as a best practice. Also other Dutch knowledge institutes are interested in our approach. The current model of 'seeds and services' and working with knowledge institutes is also being implemented in Benin, Kenya, Zambia and Rwanda.