Ghana’s agricultural future was placed in the hands of its young changemakers on November 14, when Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, hosted the grand finale of the KIC School Farm Awards 2025.
Held at the KNUST Great Hall in Kumasi, the ceremony marked the culmination of the nationwide School Farm Competition (SFC), a program that transforms ordinary school plots into thriving agri-business ventures.
This year’s awards celebrated the best-performing teams selected from over 629 schools across all 16 regions of Ghana, each demonstrating remarkable innovation, discipline, and entrepreneurial leadership in agriculture.
Agriculture Made Real and Rewarding
The School Farm Competition was created to make agriculture relatable and exciting for young people. In his opening remarks, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, Executive Director of KIC, emphasised the program’s impact in shifting perceptions of farming:
“The KIC School Farm Competition, which originated from the Blue Skies Foundation, began as a bold idea to make farming exciting for young people and today has grown into a nationwide program with more schools being added each year.”
He also highlighted the strong collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education, noting that the program successfully integrates practical agriculture into teaching and learning, allowing students to apply classroom concepts to real-life, hands-on experiences.
Growing Skills, Confidence, and Commercial Thinking
The competition’s judging process focused heavily on the sustainability and commercial viability of the student-managed farms, recognising that the future of agriculture depends on both scientific practice and strong business strategy.
Nana Joe Mensah, Board Chairman of KIC, affirmed KIC’s mission to build the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators:
“Through programs like the School Farm Competition, we are cultivating a generation that thinks differently, acts boldly, and builds sustainably.”
He also acknowledged the powerful partnership between Kosmos Energy, the Mastercard Foundation, and KIC, noting that their collaboration continues to create new opportunities for young people across the country.
Celebrating Excellence Across Ghana
Awards were presented to outstanding teams that excelled in innovation, sustainable farming, financial management, and agribusiness strategy.
- Gbulahagu D/A Junior High School emerged as the overall top winner in the Junior High School category, receiving certificates, a plaque, a trophy, and four desktop computers.
- The coveted Overall Best School Farm Award Senior High School Category (Nana Joe Mensah Award) went to St. John’s Grammar School in Accra. The school achieved exceptional results through organic crop production, including tomato cultivation on a 2,500 m² plot, supported by a strong market linkage strategy. They received five desktop computers, a trophy, certificates, and a plaque.
A Growing Movement for National Impact
The 2025 School Farm Awards reaffirm KIC’s commitment to nurturing a generation that views agriculture not as a last resort, but as a promising, innovative, and profitable career path.
The event’s strong attendance and nationwide representation signal the strategic importance of youth-led agriculture in ensuring Ghana’s long-term food security and economic growth.
KIC’s School Farm Competition continues to expand its footprint and inspire thousands of young people cultivating not only crops, but also confidence, leadership, and the entrepreneurial spirit needed to drive the future of agriculture in Ghana.
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