Chiefs champion youth-led agribusiness to curb illegal mining

The chiefs and people of Akyem Kade in the Kwaebibirem Municipality recently converged to celebrate the 2026 Palm Festival, transforming the cultural event into a strategic platform for advancing an ambitious "Youth in Agriculture" agenda aimed at driving local economic transformation.

The festival, held under the theme, "Transforming Agriculture Through Youth in Agribusiness Innovation," attracted hundreds of indigenes and international visitors. Beyond the colourful display of tradition and culture, the event served as a major call to modernise the palm oil value chain and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people.

The Chief of Akyem Kade, Osaberima Asare Twe II, used the occasion to unveil his vision of transforming the area into a hub for dynamic palm plantation agribusiness.

"Since my enstoolment as Kadehene, this has been my signature initiative," Osaberima Asare Twe II stated. "During my first year, I promised to organise this festival because I realised we needed to create real job opportunities for our youth if we are to effectively discourage them from engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey."

To turn this vision into reality, the chief has allocated between 20,000 and 30,000 acres of land specifically for oil palm cultivation under the newly launched Youth in Palm Plantation Initiative.

He further appealed to the government to strengthen support for the agricultural sector, arguing that sustainable farming remains the most viable alternative to the environmental destruction caused by illegal small-scale mining.

Dr Isaac Danso, Principal Research Scientist at the CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute and Chairman of the Festival, highlighted the immense economic potential of the oil palm industry.

"This festival is not only a celebration of our rich heritage, but also an opportunity to reflect on the progress made by farmers, processors, and researchers within the sector," Dr Danso noted.

He commended the traditional authorities for their stewardship of the land, which he said has served as the foundation for agricultural development in the area.

Dr Danso also urged residents to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region's natural resources.

"By embracing research and technology, we can ensure that the benefits of the oil palm sub-sector reach every stakeholder, including the youth, women, and smallholder farmers," he added.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kwaebibirem, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, reaffirmed the Assembly's commitment to the initiative.

He noted that the Assembly is actively supporting young people through skills training and agribusiness programmes designed to transform palm farming from a traditional occupation into a modern and highly profitable business venture.

As the festival drew to a close, the consensus among traditional leaders, scientists, and municipal authorities was clear: by leveraging the area's natural advantage in palm production, Akyem Kade is positioning itself as a model for rural development.

Stakeholders believe the initiative demonstrates how culture and modern agribusiness can work hand in hand to create jobs, promote sustainable development, and secure a prosperous future for Ghana's youth.