Kade youth to benefit from ambitious 30,000 acres project

PHILBRO Group, in partnership with the Tree Crops Development Authority, National Youth Authority, ONESTA Limited, and the Kade Traditional Council, has launched the Youth in Palm Plantation, an initiative to empower all youth through sustainable palm plantation development.

The Youth in Palm Plantation is an initiative born by Philip Nana Kwame Brobbey, CEO of Philbro Group, to encourage many more youth to venture into Agribusiness, to promote economic growth, and to conserve the environment.

Speaking at the Media launch in Accra on March 20, Brobbey noted that the initiative is a game-changer in Ghana's fight against illegal mining activities.

In his address, Brobbey said, "Youth in Palm plantation is an initiative which came to mind by my business partner, Shatta Wale. Being in the oil business for the past 15 years and owning about 30% of the market share in the cooking oil business, we are putting up one of the third-largest oil refineries, a project which is about 90% complete."

According to him, the palm is needed to feed the refinery when it is fully completed and functioning, hence the need to tap into the government's major policies on oil palm plantation.

"President John Dramani Mahama is taking the initiative to draw the youth into palm plantation. Together with my business partners, I decided to work with the government to expand oil palm production. This will create more jobs for the youth and reduce the desire to venture into illegal activities," he added.

The CEO of Philbro Group further announced that nearly 3,000 participants, including chefs, have signed up for the initiative within 72 hours of opening the registration portal.

On his part, the Paramount Chief of the Kade Traditional area in the Kwaebibrim District of the Eastern region, Osabarima Asare Twe II, stated that the various lands that have been destroyed by galamsey activities can be reclaimed through the production of palm.

According to him, jobs need to be created for youth who are deeply involved in galamsey activities. For this reason, Osabarima Asare Twe II stated that he is giving Philbro Group and his partners 20,000 to 30,000 acres of land to grow the palm plantations.

Speaking on behalf of the CEO of the Tree Crops Development Authority, Dr Andy Okrah, Yaw Agyei-Agyepong, popularly known as Wofa Yaw, expressed confidence in the numerous jobs that will be created through the oil palm sector.

"The oil palm sector in Ghana presents a transformative opportunity for youth employment, entrepreneurship, and rural industrialisation. With growing domestic demand and a significant supply deficit, the expansion of oil palm plantation and processing capacity offers a viable pathway to create sustainable jobs and wealth for young people across the country", Wofa Yaw said.

On his part, celebrated Ghanaian dancehall musician and entrepreneur, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, called on the youth to see Agriculture as a viable venture.

"I decided to join this train because it is the future of the youth. There are certain sectors that we don't pay attention to. I know most of the youth, once they are done with school, they want to open small businesses like boutiques. But there is a bigger picture than just owning boutiques. Agribusiness is the main deal now. We are here to empower the youth to create wealth for themselves. This is a big opportunity for all of us to feed ourselves and our families," he said.

The CEO for the National Youth Authority, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, used the occasion to encourage the youth to avoid drugs and join the call for Agribusiness. According to him, there are more opportunities for the youth in Agriculture.