Students who benefited from the initial stage of the Nkabom Boot Camp have revealed the positive impact the initiative has had on their businesses.
The boot camp, organised by the University of Ghana through the NKABOM Collaborative at UG, was designed to equip participants with practical skills in agri-food entrepreneurship, value chain development, business planning, and climate-smart innovation. The program combined intensive training, mentorship, and a one-day community roadshow, where participants from various universities across the country engaged directly with farmers, processors, and local stakeholders to gain real-world insights.
Speaking to Univers Business, one student explained that although he already had a business idea, he lacked the funding needed to grow it. However, the Nkabom Collaborative and its partners supported him financially.
“I came to Nkabom with a business, but there wasn’t funding, and their collaborators helped us get funding and money for prototyping. One thing is having an idea, and another thing is getting money to actually push it and grow it to where it should be.”
He also revealed that the initiative helped him build valuable networks to support the growth of his business.
“The other part is getting the network that is going to support our business to grow, and they helped me in these two particular regards.”
Another student also shared how the initiative helped her establish her own business.
“So far, I’ve been able to come up with a business called Coco Bloom, and we turn cocoa products into soaps and shower gels. Through the Nkabom Collaborative, I’ve been able to meet people who have helped me throughout my journey.”
Another participant described the experience as immersive and transformational.
“The experience with the Nkabom Collaborative has been very important. It started off as a boot camp where we were just people with ideas. They helped shape our ideas by connecting us with the right people and giving us the right environment to thrive in. I can gladly say that today I have a business out of it.”
The Nkabom Collaborative has remained committed to showing young people that agribusiness can be profitable. Organisers believe that with continued investment in the agricultural sector, the country’s GDP could see significant growth in the coming years.
Story by Anita Azawodie|univers.ug.edu.gh
