The Chief Executive Officer of the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC), Dr. Mrs. Adelaide Araba Siaw Agyepong, has charged members of the consortium to commit to bridging the gap between agricultural research and enterprise in Ghana and across Africa.
- Mrs Siaw Agyepong made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2025 Ghana Association of Agricultural Economists (GAAE) Conference, held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Impact Building in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
The three-day conference (6-8 November 2025), themed “Transforming Agri-Food Systems in Developing Economies Through Sustainable Agribusiness Development,” convened policymakers, academics, private-sector leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for sustainable agri-food transformation in Africa’s developing economies.
Dr. (Mrs.) Siaw Agyepong emphasized the importance of translating research insights into actionable, enterprise-driven solutions that address the continent’s agricultural challenges.
“Africa’s challenge has never been a lack of ideas or innovation,” she noted, adding that “Our real struggle lies in creating the systems, financing structures, and institutional coordination that turn knowledge into action.”
She said AAC, founded under the Jospong Group of Companies, was established to champion agribusiness-led transformation by linking research outputs with commercial application through innovation, financing, and capacity development.
Dr. Siaw Agyepong cited global examples, such as Brazil, Thailand, and Argentina, as countries whose agricultural progress was built on well-funded frameworks that connect research, policy, and industry.
She, therefore, urged Africa to adopt similar long-term systems that ensure continuity beyond political cycles.
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, who was the Guest of Honour, Eric Opoku, stressed the centrality of agriculture to Ghana’s economy.
He highlighted the sector’s contribution to national GDP, employment, and rural livelihoods, while outlining the government’s focus on policies such as the Feed Ghana Policy and the 24-Hour Economy Policy to enhance productivity and promote agribusiness growth.
Earlier in his welcome address, Professor John K.M. Kuwornu, the President of GAAE, emphasized the relevance of the conference’s theme and its role in shaping Ghana’s agri-food future.
He noted that transforming agricultural systems requires collaboration across financing, production, processing, logistics, and marketing, and commended participants from over 20 institutions globally for their contribution to the dialogue.
He expressed gratitude to the African Agribusiness Consortium (AAC) for its headline sponsorship and significant financial and institutional support, describing it as a “transformative partnership” that demonstrates the private sector’s commitment to advancing research-driven agribusiness in Africa.
Prof. Kuwornu also highlighted new initiatives at this year’s event, including a two-day pre-conference for graduate students and the introduction of academic awards to promote excellence in agricultural economics research.
The opening day also featured panel discussions, technical sessions, and networking forums among researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
As headline sponsor, AAC’s presence and advocacy set the tone for a conference focused on collaboration, innovation, and enterprise-led solutions for transforming Ghana’s agri-food systems.
