The CEO of the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) and an Executive Director of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, on Thursday, July 30, welcomed home 118 young Ghanaian scholars sponsored by the Jospong Group and AAC to pursue graduate studies in Russia.
The scholars arrived at the Accra International Airport after successfully completing two years of post-graduate studies at the People’s Friendship University and RUDN University in Russia.
The programme, a flagship initiative of the Jospong Group through AAC, focused on Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Waste Management and Sustainable Development. It is designed to build a new generation of skilled professionals to drive Ghana’s agricultural modernisation agenda.
“Investment In Human Capital For Ghana’s Future”
Addressing the media at the welcome ceremony, Dr. Mrs. Siaw Agyepong said the decision to invest in agriculture education followed Jospong Group’s growing involvement in the sector.
“By the grace of God, after several years of contributing significantly to Ghana in sanitation and waste management transformation, the Jospong Group made another bold decision a few years ago to support the transformation of Ghana’s agricultural sector,” she said.
“As we became more involved in the agriculture sector, we realised that Ghana has enormous agricultural potential. Transforming the sector would require the active participation of a new generation of skilled and passionate young people. That is why, in partnership with RUDN University in Russia, we sponsored 118 young students to pursue graduate studies in agriculture and environmental sciences and technology.”
She expressed confidence that the scholars would impact the sector beyond their personal growth.
“I believe their investment will not only be to the benefit of the individuals, but will also contribute to the backbone of the agriculture sector and the development of our country. We are confident they will become change-agents in their respective fields.”
Partnerships Acknowledged
Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Siaw Agyepong thanked the Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and RUDN University in Russia, Ghana’s mission in Moscow, Ghana’s Ministry of Agriculture and other individuals and institutions for their support during the scholars’ stay.
“I say thank you to the People’s Friendship University of Russia, RUDN University, for being a valued partner in this journey, and to the Embassy of Ghana in the Russian Federation for their unwavering support and commitment to the welfare of our students throughout their two years of studies. Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and the Minister of Agriculture have been very supportive to the success of this initiative ”
Scholars Pledge To Apply Skills In Climate And Transport
The returning scholars said they are ready to apply their training to national challenges.
The President of the Jospong Scholars RUDN Group, Mr. Saviour Kweku Dotsey, said he built skills in climate project management and will deploy them for the country.
“We have built skills in climate project management and we will use our skills to contribute to climate emissions initiatives for both the Jospong Group and the country,” Mr. Dotsey said.
Another beneficiary, Charlotte Opoku Gyamfua, who specialised in carbon reduction in the transport sector, said her expertise will target emissions in Ghana’s growing transport industry.
“I specialised in carbon reduction in the transport sector. I will use my skills to help manage the carbon emissions in the transport sector and help in climate related data collection and calculations in the transportation sector,” Ms. Gyamfua said.
Deploying Knowledge For National Development
Upon their return, the 118 beneficiaries are expected to deploy their expertise to address challenges in food security, rural development, waste management and climate-smart agriculture.
The Jospong Group, through AAC, says the scholarship programme forms part of its long-term commitment to education and sustainable development, and to positioning Ghanaian youth at the forefront of the nation’s economic transformation.
