The Deputy Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Ernest Tagbotor, joined the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation (JAK) panel discussion on “Innovative Agri-Financing, Marketing, Investment, Food Safety and Quality Standards, Regulations, Exports and Digitalization” at the maiden Youth in Agribusiness Festival in Kumasi on Thursday 28th July 2022.
Also on the panel were other industry experts from the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX), Ghana Exchange Promotion Authority (GEPA) and Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
JAK foundation, through this initiative, seeks to provide a platform for experienced practitioners to share best practices and relevant experiences, including available opportunities with the Ghanaian youth to encourage them not to shy away from Agriculture but brace it with innovative minds.
Speaking at the program, Mr. Tagbotor highlighted GIRSAL’s aim to help de-risk the agricultural environment through the financial institutions to increase lending to agribusinesses. He motivated the youth not to lose focus and tenacity in implementing innovative ideas because access to finance is challenging.
He went on to assure them that through the GIRSAL scheme, about 85 agribusinesses have benefitted and continue to benefit through the GIRSAL Technical Assistance as well.
He continued that often financial institutions turn down most agribusinesses due to several factors they ignore when presenting their proposal, including poor record keeping and bad financials.
Mr. Tagbotor stressed the importance of developing good business proposals, as it is a key requirement for seeking financial assistance or investment.
GIRSAL supports initiatives that promote agriculture and Agribusiness in Ghana. We see Agriculture as a key sustainable growth factor for now and the future.
We say ayekoo to the JAK Foundation for this initiative to support youth in Agriculture and empower others to go into it.