Speaking at the launch, MTN Ghana CEO, Stephen Blewett, said that the initiative aligned with MTN’s vision to drive digital innovation across sectors, including agriculture. With Ghana preparing to celebrate Farmers’ Day, he emphasized that the facility demonstrated MTN’s belief that “no farmers, no food,” stressing the importance of technology-enabled farming in achieving national food security

Mr Blewett highlighted the country’s vast agricultural potential, noting that Ghana spent nearly US$2 billion annually on food imports, despite having land and talent capable of making the nation a major food producer.

He reiterated MTN’s commitment to empowering farmers through digital solutions, referencing MTN’s M-Agric program, support for rural women farmers, and youth-focused agritech training.

“This Centre is designed to transform beneficiaries from job seekers into confident job creators,” he said. “Modern farming is profitable, viable, and high-tech and we want young people to see agriculture through that lens,” he added.

Mr. Kwasi Etu-Bonde, Technical Advisor to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, who spoke on his behalf commended the partnership, describing it as a timely contribution to the government’s Feed Ghana Programme. He said that the agricultural sector faced challenges including climate change, low technology adoption, and competition from imports, issues the new hub directly addresses.

He noted that the facility’s use of solar-powered groundwater extraction, drip irrigation, mulching, and nutrient-recycling compost systems demonstrates innovation at work.

“Three hundred youth are being trained in fertigation, pest and disease management, ecological farming and mechatronics,” he said. “This is how we remove the drudgery from agriculture and position it as an engine for job creation and food security,” he noted.

Adwoa Wiafe, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, said MTN saw sustainability as its core purpose,  one that was reflected in its environmental and social investments, including solar-powered operations and digital skills training.

“Impact is key for us,” she said, addin that “this initiative will benefit not only students but the wider community as the University begins offering short courses for the public. This is how we scale impact , through partnership.”

Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, described the hub as a “launchpad” for students and a model of what could be achieved when academia and industry collaborated.

He said that the hub bridged theory and practice, offering students hands-on experience that enhanced employability and entrepreneurial readiness.

“When private sector, academia and development foundations align, the result is more than the sum of its parts it becomes a platform for transformation,” he noted.

Professor Eric Kwasi Nartey, Dean of Agricultural Sciences, praised the partnership for advancing safe, sustainable vegetable production in Ghana. He highlighted the need to reduce reliance on unsafe irrigation sources and to modernize farming through automation and data-driven practices.

Mr Charles Agyeman, Co-Founder of Defarmercist, expressed appreciation to MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana for believing in the vision of a youth-driven, technology-powered agricultural future.