In a unique approach to tackling both youth unemployment and agricultural development, Dr. Felix Mawuli Kamassah, CEO of Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited, is transforming farms into practical classrooms where young Ghanaians are learning not just farming, but entrepreneurship.
“After this program, the idea is that you are ready to start something on your own. You are not going to put pressure on the government again,” Dr. Kamassah said, emphasizing that the initiative is about equipping youth with business skills applicable across sectors, not just agriculture.
The program currently trains over 400 young people, giving them hands-on experience in production, supply chain management, and business planning. Participants learn how to manage a farm as a commercial enterprise, develop value-added products, and link directly to local markets. Many of the trainees are national service personnel, while some come through partnerships with universities. This ensures that youth complete their training with the skills and confidence to launch independent ventures.
Dr. Kamassah explained that the program is designed to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset in every participant. Young Ghanaians are encouraged to identify opportunities in their communities, explore different sectors, and translate skills learned on the farm into viable businesses. “We are looking at in-grower models, where one acre can become a full business unit for a youth. The youth are ready to work on that,” he added.
By combining mentorship, practical exposure, and market linkages, the initiative creates a pipeline of skilled labor that can support Ghana’s growing agribusiness sector while also serving as a model for other industries. Graduates are linked with established farmers and private sector partners, allowing them to continue developing their enterprises while generating income.
For Dr. Kamassah, the ultimate goal is systemic. Beyond producing tomatoes, the program demonstrates how youth-led entrepreneurship can strengthen local economies, reduce dependency on imports, and foster innovation across sectors. The Dowenya farm, a 200-acre site where much of the training takes place, serves as a practical laboratory for these principles, blending production with enterprise.
“This program is not just about agriculture; it’s about empowering youth to become independent, problem-solving entrepreneurs who can sustain themselves and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
With Ghana facing persistent youth unemployment and a need to stimulate domestic production, initiatives like Maplix Trust’s entrepreneurial farms offer a promising pathway to economic inclusion and sustainable development.
