A youth group from the Tanoso Seventh-day Adventist Church is proving that farming is not just about hoes, cutlasses, and sweat; it can be a source of innovation, livelihood empowerment, and hope, as they have emerged as the winners of the McDan Youth Connect Adventist Edition.
The Tanoso Youth in Agribusiness walked away with a GH₵ 20,000 cash prize for their groundbreaking project, Green Gold Extract, a citronella-based essential oil brand.
Their brilliant idea uses citronella, a local plant often dismissed as common grass, and turns it into a valuable essential oil with multiple uses, from repelling insects to serving as an ingredient in perfumes and herbal products.
Through this initiative, the group aims to promote sustainable farming, create green jobs, and inspire other young people to see agriculture as a viable business rather than a last resort.
Speaking after the award, members of the team described Green Gold Extract as a venture designed to bridge the gap between traditional farming and modern entrepreneurship.
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Nana Kofi Britwum, a member of the group, indicated that they want to show that agribusiness can be creative and profitable.
The initiative’s potential ripple effects are far-reaching. With expansion, Green Gold Extract could support rural women and youth through job creation in farming, processing, branding, and sales.
Beyond the economic benefits, the project also encourages environmental sustainability by promoting the cultivation of citronella, a plant known for its pest-repelling properties and soil-protecting features.
Dr. Daniel McKorley, the founder of the McDan Group and sponsor of the challenge, praised the youth for their creativity and passion. He said initiatives like these prove that Ghana’s young people are capable of driving economic transformation if given the right support.
“Congratulations to the Tanoso Youth in Agribusiness, whose project Green Gold Extract, a citronella essential oil brand, won the top prize. I look forward to your business creating jobs, providing livelihoods, changing the narrative from a youth of ‘job seekers’ to ‘job creators’, and creating a genuine impact in your community,” the CEO of the McDan Group remarked.
The victory also qualifies the Tanoso Youth in Agribusiness for the semi-finals of the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge, where they will compete for the grand prize of $100,000.
But beyond the competition, their success story stands as an inspiring reminder that innovation, teamwork, and faith can turn even the simplest idea into a beacon of hope, and that indeed, agriculture can be Ghana’s new gold.
