DIGITAL YOUTH VILLAGE UNDERTAKES STRATEGIC STUDY TOUR IN TAMALE TO ADVANCE AGRI-TECH INNOVATION IN GHANA

Tamale, Ghana – The Digital Youth Village (DYV), an institutional initiative of the University of Ghana focused on digital innovation and entrepreneurship, has successfully concluded a three-day strategic study tour to Tamale. The tour aimed to strengthen engagement with Agri-tech startups and regional innovation stakeholders in Northern Ghana. 
This initiative forms part of DYV’s national mandate to promote inclusive digital transformation and support youth-led enterprises across the country by identifying scalable solutions, fostering partnerships, and deepening ecosystem connections.

Day 1: Institutional Engagements and Innovation Hub Visit 
The study tour commenced with a visit to HOPin Academy, one of Tamale’s leading entrepreneurial hubs. Since its establishment in 2013, HOPin Academy has supported nearly 200 startups and developed over 36 partnerships, playing a pivotal role in the region’s innovation landscape. During the visit, the DYV team introduced the Village’s mission and reiterated its commitment to providing national access to digital tools, skills development, and startup support.
Later in the day, the team paid courtesy calls on leadership at the University for Development Studies (UDS). The Pro-Vice Chancellor, accompanied by the Acting Registrar and Director of Public Affairs, received the team and discussed potential avenues for strategic collaboration. Focus was placed on working with the Department of Agribusiness within the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences to advance digital agriculture, capacity building, and joint research.

A subsequent engagement with the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Terry Ansah, and the Head of the Department of Agribusiness, affirmed strong alignment between both institutions and expressed a shared readiness to pursue collaborative initiatives in Agri-tech innovation.

Day 2: Field Visits to Agri-Tech Startups and Development Institutions
On the second day, the DYV team visited four emerging Agri-tech enterprises located in Nyankpala and Tamale, gaining practical insights into grassroots innovation and value addition in agriculture: 

• Magnoba Farms – Cultivating fresh and dried mushrooms for local markets.
• Millbles – Producing millet-based cereals and cookies from indigenous grains.
• Delimush – Processing mushrooms into cookies and canned products.
• Anbanglife – Specializing in hibiscus-based tea products.

 In the afternoon, the team visited the EduGha Institute for Social Development (EISD). Established in 2014, EISD provides socio-economic research, development consulting, and entrepreneurial training across West Africa, operating in both English and French. Following the introduction of the DYV initiative, the institute expressed interest in future collaboration to support youth development and digital training.

Day 3: Strategic Dialogue and Visits to High-Impact Startups

The final day of the tour began with a strategic meeting between the DYV team and representatives from UDS. Discussions centered on formalizing a collaborative framework through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Ghana and UDS. The agreement would enable the formal transfer of selected Agri-tech startups to the Digital Youth Village for support in mentorship, coaching, and the scaling of operations through technology and mechanization. The afternoon was dedicated to site visits of three additional high-impact startups: 

• Purelube – Ghana’s first eco-friendly lubricant brand, producing grease from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) to support industrial and agricultural machinery.
• Gardpath Technology – Developers of affordable, rapid diagnostic test kits for livestock diseases, addressing critical gaps in animal health.
• Digifarms – A digital platform that connects farm producers directly with consumers, enhancing transparency and efficiency in agricultural value chains.

The study tour concluded with a closing lunch between both teams, cementing the foundations for a long-term partnership.

Fostering Inclusive Innovation Across Ghana 

The Digital Youth Village's tour of Tamale provided meaningful exposure to the challenges and opportunities shaping the Agri-tech ecosystem in Northern Ghana. More importantly, it laid the groundwork for strategic partnerships aimed at scaling youth-led innovation through institutional collaboration, research, and digital capacity development. Through initiatives like this, the Digital Youth Village continues to affirm its role as a national catalyst for inclusive digital transformation—empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators across Ghana.