The TAGDev 2.0 Programme at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana has organized workshops for key partner institutions and stakeholders across the country to equip them to effectively engage the target groups for the programme.
Held from October 1-10, 2025, the workshops were hosted by the partner institutions- Adidome Farm Institute, Volta Region; University for Development Studies, Northern Region and University for Energy and Natural Resources.
Participants of the workshop at Adidome Farm Institute workshop
Participating in the workshop were selected District Directors of Agriculture, Business Advisory Centres, Agriculture Extension Officers and Management Information System officers within the jurisdiction where the programme is being implemented.
The workshop sought to equip staff with competence-based training and experiential entrepreneurial education focusing on women, differently-abled persons, refugees, and displaced persons.
The University for Development Studies team
Participants were trained on the technical and knowledge-transfer skills to accelerate the dissemination of innovative technologies and best practices. In addition, the workshop helped to strengthen partnerships with institutions and organisations to make significant impact on extension services in rural communities.
Opening the workshops at the various centres, the Coordinator of TAGDev 2.0 Programme, Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong, noted that the University of Cape Coast would continue to engage with its partners to successfully execute the programme. “We need to co-create so young people especially women and marginalized persons in our communities can get sustainable jobs that will improve their livelihoods.”
Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong
Prof. Annor-Frempong noted that the programme thrives on inclusivity, safeguarding and expanding job opportunities in the agriculture value chain. He, therefore, advised participants to be guided by these in order to ensure equitable participation of both young women and men, and marginalized groups.
“We need to empower, promote sustainable inclusion and create an enabling environment for marginalized people in society including refugees, displaced persons, people with disabilities and young women and men through the TAGDev 2.0 programme” he stressed.
Partners from University for Energy and Natural Resources
Participants were taken through Gender, inclusion and safeguarding, entrepreneurship in the agriculture value chain; strategies to enhance youth engagement, overview of TAGDev 2.0 programme, and last-mile extension delivery.
Prof. Mavis Serwaa Benneh Mensah presenting at the engagement session
The participants worked in groups to brainstorm and generate ideas on creating opportunities for the programme’s target audience. They presented innovative strategies for engaging these groups and ensuring the sustainability of the interventions.
Associate Programme Officer of TAGDev 2.0 making a presentation during the programme at University of Energy and Natural Resources
At the end of the workshop, participants expressed their commitment to explore various opportunities within the agricultural value chain and to make the sector more attractive to the target audience. It was also agreed that all stakeholders should make deliberate efforts to recruit young men and women from their communities and support them to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves.
Dr. Lawrence Acheampong presenting at the engagement session
The workshops were facilitated by the Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development (CESSED), Prof. Mavis Serwah Benneh Mensah; Associate Programme Officer, TAGDev 2.0 Programme, Dr. Zikiru Shaibu and the Gender, Inclusion and Safeguarding Officer, TAGDev 2.0, Dr. Lawrence Acheampong.