Husein Pumaya Yakubu, Pierre Brunache Jr., Suzana Kafadar de Rodriguez and Valerie Ndiweni. Photo by Owen Egan
In a move that blends philanthropy, education, and entrepreneurship, McGill University has launched a 10-year initiative aimed at transforming Ghana’s agri-food sector and creating meaningful employment opportunities for the country’s youth.
The program seeks to address systemic barriers in the food economy while promoting inclusion for women and marginalized groups.
Called the Nkabom Collaborative, the initiative was celebrated at an Aug. 21 event on McGill’s downtown campus.
Nkabom means “togetherness” in Akan, a language spoken widely in Ghana.
The Collaborative aims to reimagine food systems, empower young Ghanaians, especially women and members of marginalized groups, and build more inclusive and sustainable communities.
This will be done with a focus on education, entrepreneurial opportunities, and access to bursaries and mentorships.
Moving beyond theory to embrace experiential learning is central to the initiative.
“The Nkabom Collaborative exemplifies the kind of global partnership that McGill University is proud to champion,” said Christopher Manfredi, Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic).
“It brings together leading institutions to co-create solutions rooted in community, engagement, sustainability, and innovation.”
In addition to the Mastercard Foundation, McGill’s partner institutions are the Association of Ghana Industries (a non-profit organization representing over 1,200 companies) and six Ghanaian universities.
“I’m convinced that we will see the Collaborative become a model for this kind of international relationship,” said Anja Geitmann, McGill’s Vice-President, Global Engagement.
“I’m really excited to see it evolve over the next decade.”
Ghana’s Food Sector: Opportunities and Challenges
According to the World Bank, Ghana’s agriculture sector experienced a growth of 2.8% in 2024, attributed to improvements in livestock and crop production.
However, the sector faces challenges, including drought-induced crop failures and low yields in eight out of its 16 administrative regions, which have led to increased imports of wheat, corn, and rice.
The domestic agricultural sector is predominantly subsistence-based, with smallholder farmers cultivating less than 1 hectare of land.
Approximately 74% of the sector is dedicated to crop production, 18% to livestock, fishery, and poultry, and 8% to forestry.
This context underscores the need for programs like Nkabom, which aim to support youth-led ventures, modernize practices, and strengthen food system resilience.
Shaping the Future of Ghana
The Nkabom Collaborative is closely aligned with Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works Strategy and informed by the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program.
It also aligns with 10 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“We expect that at the end of it all, we will create an ecosystem that will enable us to support a lasting change in Ghana,” said Benjamin Simpson, Professor of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry at McGill.
He is also an alumnus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), one of the Ghanaian partner universities.
McGill’s key stakeholders include teams from the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Studies (FAES), the Desautels Faculty of Management’s Sustainable Growth Initiative, the School of Population and Global Health, and the School of Continuing Studies.
Their Ghanaian counterparts are from Ashesi University, Koforidua Technical University, KNUST, the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, the University of Ghana, and the University of Health and Allied Sciences.
At the 10-year mark, the initiative is expected to generate over 30 new or improved academic programs, 5,000 bursaries, 3,000 youth-led agri-food ventures, and 55,000 new jobs.
“Beyond the numbers, a true impact will be on the lives of the young people who will see themselves as leaders shaping the future of Ghana,” said Carola Weil, Dean of the School of Continuing Studies.
“The goal here is not just to create entrepreneurs, but a whole ecosystem that translates learning into actual jobs and real solutions.”
Creating Lasting Change
Additional speakers at the launch event included Rica Rwigamba, Country Director, Ghana Programs at Mastercard International, and Jeffrey Baikowitz, philanthropist and founder of the non-profit organization Motherfood International.
The Secretariat will be based at McGill. This fall, the University will host visitors representing the Ghanaian partners and the Mastercard Foundation.
“By combining our expertise, we’re laying the foundation for a partnership that’s going to create lasting change in nutrition and food security,” said Brunache.
“I am confident that we are poised to achieve great things in Ghana and beyond.”
Through the Nkabom Collaborative, McGill University and its philanthropic partners aim to demonstrate how targeted investment, international collaboration, and education-driven programs can empower youth, foster sustainable communities, and strengthen Ghana’s agri-food sector for the long term.
About McGill
McGill University, based in Montreal, Canada, is one of the world’s leading research-intensive institutions.
Known for its strong international engagement, McGill has a long history of partnerships that promote global development, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
The University is committed to fostering inclusive education, advancing sustainable solutions, and supporting initiatives that address social and economic challenges worldwide.
