“The Youth Waiting for 24-Hour Economy Should Go and Farm Because the 24-Hour Economy Will Begin from the Farm” — Eric Opoku

Hon. Eric Opoku, Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, has urged young Ghanaians to embrace farming as a key avenue for economic empowerment. According to the Minister, the foundation of Ghana’s ambitious 24-Hour Economy begins with productive agriculture.

Youth and Agriculture

Eric Opoku highlighted that young people should not wait passively for industrial or service-sector opportunities but should actively engage in farming and agribusiness. He emphasised that agriculture offers practical income opportunities and can be a stepping stone to long-term wealth creation and sustainable livelihoods.

Farming as the Backbone of the 24-Hour Economy

The Minister stressed that Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy initiative aims to extend productive activity across sectors, including manufacturing, services, logistics, and agro-processing. However, for continuous economic growth, agriculture must provide reliable raw materials for downstream industries. Farming, he noted, is the essential starting point for this national strategy.

Call to Action

“Farming is lucrative and offers huge prospects to improve socio-economic livelihoods,” Opoku remarked. He encouraged youth to see agriculture not as a fallback but as a strategic sector that feeds into Ghana’s broader industrial and economic expansion. This message comes as the government seeks to align youth engagement with national economic priorities.

Public Response

Reactions have been mixed. Many youth groups welcome the push toward agricultural participation, viewing it as a pathway to jobs and entrepreneurship. Others stress the need for improved access to land, financing, technology, and markets to make farming a viable and attractive career choice.

As Ghana advances its 24-Hour Economy policy, the integration of agriculture and youth participation remains a key discussion point, with Minister Eric Opoku advocating for practical steps that begin at the farm level. For more verified Ghana news, visit GhanaMedia.net.