The World Food Programme (WFP) Ghana office has partnered with Ho Technical University’s Department of Agricultural Engineering to equip young agricultural engineering graduates with the skills needed to reduce post-harvest losses and support agribusinesses across Ghana.
Funded by the MasterCard Foundation, the Post-Harvest Agricultural Mechanization Training Programme will train over 1,700 graduates from HTU and selected agricultural colleges over the next two years. Participants will gain hands-on expertise in installing, maintaining, repairing, and operating post-harvest equipment, to address one of the sector’s biggest challenges.
During a familiarization visit to HTU on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Mr. Steven Odarteifio, Head of Sustainable Food Systems at WFP Ghana, underscored the programme’s impact, noting that graduates will be equipped for employment in agribusiness, contributing to Ghana’s broader agricultural modernization efforts.
To facilitate the training, WFP is providing modern mechanization tools and equipment to the Agricultural Engineering Department while funding the refurbishment of existing ones.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ben Honyenuga, hailed the partnership as a transformative step for the University, emphasizing its role in strengthening facilities and expanding opportunities for students and farmers. Dean of Engineering, Prof. Maxwell Akple, and Head of Department, Dr. Bismark Mensah-Brako, expressed confidence in the collaboration and assured of their commitment to ensuring its successful implementation.
As part of engagement efforts, the WFP team interacted with faculty and students, introducing them to the project and discussing its prospects to inspire active participation.
The parties are therefore optimistic that, by leveraging HTU’s expertise and WFP’s resources, the collaboration is poised to transform agricultural training, support agribusinesses, and contribute to Ghana’s food security goals.