Ghanaian academic Dr. Susan Yaa Aframa Arkah has urged a strong focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and agribusiness to drive Africa’s economic growth.
She delivered a keynote address at the British Council-funded Transnational Education (TNE) Workshop in Accra. Arkah highlighted vast opportunities within Africa's agricultural sector. She argued that entrepreneurship can tackle unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and development challenges.
This call aligns with Ghana's ongoing efforts to diversify its economy beyond raw material exports. Ghana has long sought to industrialize its agricultural sector and create more value from its produce. The government and various organizations have launched initiatives to support agribusiness development. These efforts aim to boost local processing and reduce reliance on imported goods.
Dr. Arkah's speech addressed participants from academia, government, and industry. She noted Africa’s growing youth population is a significant asset. Creating opportunities for these young people requires a shift from traditional jobs to entrepreneurial thinking. Innovation and enterprise creation are vital for this transformation.
“Africa's future prosperity depends on our ability to transform challenges into opportunities through entrepreneurship, innovation, and value creation,” Dr. Arkah stated.
She stressed that agribusiness is more than just farming. It includes production, processing, packaging, transport, marketing, technology, and export development. Significant economic value comes from African countries moving beyond raw commodity exports. Instead, they should focus on adding value and industrial development.
Dr. Arkah's address emphasized technology's growing importance in modern agriculture. She cited young African entrepreneurs using digital platforms and mobile apps. These innovations introduce climate-smart solutions and new financing for farming. They improve agricultural productivity and market access across the continent.
Universities and higher education institutions play a critical role, she added. They must foster entrepreneurial mindsets and prepare graduates to be innovators. Graduates should become job creators and change-makers, not just job seekers. This focus on human capital development is essential for long-term prosperity.
Sustainable development must be central to Africa's entrepreneurial and agribusiness plans. Dr. Arkah called for increased investment in climate-smart agriculture. This includes environmental stewardship, renewable energy, and inclusive business models. These models empower women, youth, and marginalized communities. Such investments contribute to a more resilient and equitable economic future.
The keynote was part of a three-day international workshop. The University of Bradford, the University of Cape Coast, and the University of Education, Winneba organized it. This project, supported by the British Council, is developing a Certificate Programme. The program covers Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness, and Sustainable Development. Participants discussed strengthening entrepreneurship education and enhancing agribusiness ecosystems. They also explored promoting university-industry collaboration and advancing sustainable development in Ghana and Africa. The workshop concludes on June 13, 2026, at Mount Everest Hotel, Kwabenya, Accra.
Dr. Arkah reminded attendees that Africa's greatest resource is its people, not its natural wealth. “When we invest in human capital, entrepreneurial capability, innovation, and sustainable development, we create the foundations for long-term prosperity and transformational change,” she concluded.