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The Ajumako Enyan Essiam District Director of Education in the Central Region, Mrs. Sabina Aba Wilson, has called on the government and education policymakers to reintroduce Agricultural Science as a compulsory standalone subject in Senior High Schools (SHSs) across the country.
According to Mrs. Wilson, the current educational arrangement, where basic agriculture is incorporated into the Integrated Science curriculum, does not provide students with adequate practical and theoretical knowledge needed to develop interest in agriculture and agribusiness.
She stressed that making Agricultural Science a core subject would equip students with valuable entrepreneurial and technical skills, enabling them to become self-reliant and create employment opportunities for themselves after school.
Mrs. Wilson explained that many young people graduate from school with the mindset that success can only be achieved through office jobs, despite the limited employment opportunities available in the formal sector.
She noted that a strong agricultural education would empower students to venture into commercial farming, livestock production, agro-processing, and other agribusiness ventures.
The Education Director further indicated that the move would help transform the negative perception many young people have about farming.
According to her, agriculture is often viewed as a profession for the uneducated or as a form of punishment, a misconception she believes can be corrected through proper education and exposure at an early stage.
Mrs. Sabina Aba Wilson made the appeal during a ceremony where the 2020 Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District Best Farmer, Mr. Isaac Agyire, donated various farm inputs and agricultural materials to selected Basic and Senior High Schools within the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District.
The donated items included seedlings, fertilizers, farming tools, and other agricultural inputs aimed at supporting school farms and promoting practical agricultural training among students.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Isaac Agyire stated that the donation formed part of his commitment to encouraging agricultural development and nurturing the next generation of farmers.
He explained that the support would help schools expand their farming activities to supplement food supplies for school feeding programmes and dining halls while also serving as practical learning centres for students.
Mr. Agyire urged young people to embrace agriculture as a profitable and rewarding profession rather than viewing it as a last resort.
He emphasized that modern agriculture offers numerous opportunities for wealth creation, food security, and national development.
Also addressing the gathering, the Ajumako Enyan Essiam District Director of Agriculture, Mr. Obed Obre Yeboah, called on farmers to abandon outdated farming practices and adopt modern scientific methods to improve productivity and efficiency.
He noted that rapid urbanization and infrastructure development continue to reduce the availability of agricultural land, making it necessary for farmers to maximize yields on existing farmlands through improved farming technologies, mechanization, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
Mr. Yeboah further encouraged educational institutions and stakeholders to place greater emphasis on practical agriculture by providing students with opportunities to engage directly in farming activities rather than relying solely on classroom instruction.
He expressed optimism that exposing students to hands-on agricultural training would inspire more young people to pursue careers in the sector and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s food production and economic growth.
The event brought together education officials,agricultural experts,teachers, students and community leaders who collectively emphasized the need to strengthen agricultural education as a key strategy for addressing youth unemployment and ensuring sustainable national development.
Story by Yaw Boagyan