Ghana to host agric exchange programme for US students

Students from Delaware State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the US would visit Ghana, on a collaborative agricultural and cultural exchange programme.

The visit which falls on May 23, 2013, is jointly organized by Concern Universal, Ghana, an international development relief organization, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The rest are Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute (BNARI), the Volta River Estates Limited, Crop Research Institute, Agribusiness Television, Adom Farmers group, among others.

Ms. Francisca Ansah, Agricultural Livelihoods and Food Security Coordinator at Concern Universal-Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview, that the study abroad program to Ghana would provide students with international experience in the areas of Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and related sciences.

She said whilst Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest rate of population growth in the world, it had the least agricultural resources, weakening its capacity to feed itself.

Ms. Ansah said Ghanaian students’ participation in the study abroad exchange programme in the agricultural sector was very minimal, thus reducing international perspectives to the development of innovative technologies to boost productivity.

“In the national interest and in the interest of global food security, it is important to create and strengthen partnerships between institutions in the United States and Ghana.”

She said the upcoming exchange study visit is aimed at consolidating the gains made through previous programmes, would provide continuing opportunities for students and practitioners from both countries in international agriculture.

Ms. Ansah said “the core experience will consist of a three week visit by students from Delaware State University (DSU) and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to Ghana.”

She said the students would have the opportunity to interact with Government officials, University undergraduate and graduate students, small businesses, farm and livestock operations and rural communities.

She noted that students participating in the programme are expected to gain an understanding of Ghana’s culture and agriculture and also build their collaborative capacities.

Source: GNA