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An initiative under the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Work Strategy, known as the Financial Inclusion for Last Mile Actors (FILMA) programme, seeks to empower 80,000 youth with sustainable work opportunities along the agricultural value chain by 2028.
Out of the figure, 70 per cent of the opportunities are specifically reserved for young women, with a further five per cent dedicated to persons with disabilities, highlighting a deep commitment to inclusivity and equity.
As part of that effort, FILMA is partnering with Agrihouse Foundation for its 8th Agricultural Students’ Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Bootcamp (AG-STUD), which serves as a key engagement point to connect with and inspire the next wave of agricultural leaders.
The partnership underscores FILMA's dedication to fostering a new generation of economically empowered young Ghanaians, a core tenet of its ambitious goal to create dignified and fulfilling work opportunities.
Speaking at the Bootcamp, the Lead for Access to Markets and Point Person at the FILMA Programme at the Mastercard Foundation, Joseph Boateng, underscored the pivotal role of the youth in Ghana's agricultural transformation.
"We simply cannot talk about national development without placing our youth, particularly young women, at the very centre of our strategy," Mr Boateng stated.
He explained that the FILMA Programme was so much more than just creating jobs, “it is about restoring dignity, building economic resilience and fundamentally reshaping rural economies to fully reflect the immense potential of their people.”
Mr Boateng encouraged the students to "be bold, be prepared and deeply understand the value of the work ahead. Agriculture is not just a job; it is a profound mission to feed, to build and to lead.”
He said FILMA was committed to unlocking the potential of excluded young women, single mothers and persons with disabilities in key rural regions across Ghana.
“Recognising that these ‘Last Mile Actors’ (LMAs) often operate outside formal financial systems and lack access to crucial resources, FILMA's core ambition is to weave financial inclusion interventions into the fabric of the agriculture and agriculture-adjacent sectors (AAAS), paving the way for dignified and fulfilling jobs.
“Agriculture is a vital sector for Ghana's economy, contributing significantly to its GDP and employing a substantial portion of the workforce, particularly in rural communities. FILMA directly addresses the challenges of youth unemployment and financial exclusion within these vital areas,” he stated.
Mr Boateng said the mission of FILMA was to significantly enhance access to affordable credit, inclusive financial services, and thriving markets for young people actively involved in the AAAS.
“By focusing on up-skilling and capacity building, FILMA directly empowers financially excluded LMAs, fuelling entrepreneurship, boosting productivity and ultimately creating sustainable economic opportunities.
“Our overarching goal is to reach 100,000 youth, primarily young women and persons with disability, across 18 districts in the Volta, Oti, Bono-East and Northern regions to achieve dignified and fulfilling work,” he added.
For her part, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, expressed profound appreciation for FILMA's invaluable support.
"This collaboration stands as a powerful testament to our shared commitment to equipping the next generation of agricultural leaders with the skills, networks and financial tools they need to truly thrive.
"FILMA’s inspiring vision for inclusive growth aligns perfectly with the impactful work we do at Agrihouse, and together, we are creating real, tangible change at the grassroots”.
