Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame has called on the government to introduce free university education for children of farmers, arguing that the policy could encourage more young people to pursue agriculture and boost local food production.
Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM, the musician said the initiative would reward farmers for their contribution to Ghana’s economy while easing the financial burden on farming families seeking higher education for their children.
He proposed that the government cover the cost of university education for students from farming households, describing the initiative as an incentive that could make agriculture more attractive to the younger generation.
According to Okyeame Kwame, one of the challenges facing the agricultural sector is the difficulty in persuading farmers to encourage their children to take up farming, partly because of the limited incentives and opportunities available within the profession.
He also pointed to Ghana’s continued reliance on imported food products, including onions, as an indication of the need to strengthen domestic agricultural production and encourage more young people to engage in farming.
The musician believes that providing university education for farmers’ children could equip them with the knowledge, technical skills and modern technologies needed to improve farming methods, increase productivity and contribute to national food security.
He stressed that agriculture remains fundamental to Ghana’s development, supporting livelihoods, supplying food and contributing to the wider economy.
Okyeame Kwame said he would prioritise free university education for farmers’ children if given the opportunity to implement the policy, describing it as a long-term investment in farming families and the country’s agricultural future.
His proposal adds to ongoing discussions about how Ghana can support farmers, attract young people into agriculture and reduce its dependence on imported food.
However, implementing the proposal would require decisions on eligibility, funding and the scope of educational costs to be covered, including whether the support would apply to tuition alone or other university-related expenses.
Story by Frimpomaa