The Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program has become a beacon of hope for thousands of young Ghanaians, proving that agriculture can be a transformative career path.
Rolled out in December 2023, this four-year initiative by the Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Agri-Impact Limited and a consortium of eight partners, has enabled dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for over 138,000 young people including 77,000 young females (56%) across Ghana’s agricultural sector in less than two years.
Focusing on four key agricultural value chains—rice, poultry, tomato, and soybean—the program is enabling youth to become entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills, resources, and market access they need to thrive in a fast-changing industry.
Within 15 months, the HAPPY Program has made a tangible impact across Ghana, expanding to 13 regions, 50 districts, and over 200 communities, creating ripples of change throughout the country. The hard work of young farmers has generated $20.04 million in revenue.
They have produced a total of 30,035 metric tons of food, including 1,715,138 birds (3,714 metric tons of poultry), 16,174.42 metric tons of paddy rice, and 2,844 metric tons of processed rice. These contributions are vital not only for food security but also for the growth of the agricultural sector.
Additionally, the program has seen 20,403.05 hectares of farmland cultivated and the distribution of 2.3 million healthy day-old chicks to young farmers, further enhancing their ability to succeed.
The HAPPY Program has attracted $18.41 million in private sector investment within its first year, facilitating the development of essential infrastructure such as hatcheries, silos, warehouses, and processing facilities. These investments are crucial for scaling production and ensuring sustainability.
Furthermore, $25 million has been invested in land development and irrigation, strengthening the sector’s long-term prospects. The program has also successfully revived Ghana’s broiler poultry sector, which had nearly collapsed due to various challenges. Additionally, it has breathed new life into several defunct meat processing factories that had remained dormant for years.
As the program progresses, the goal is to create new work opportunities, with a strong emphasis on empowering 70% women and persons with disabilities. Through skills training, mentorship, and market linkages, the program is ensuring inclusivity, enabling even those from marginalized communities to thrive in agriculture.
The HAPPY Program has established a proven model for developing disability-inclusive and women-focused value chains, empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) and young women through targeted initiatives.
Beyond job creation, the HAPPY Program is about empowering youth to see agriculture as a tool for prosperity and national development. Through capacity building, financial support, and strategic partnerships, young agripreneurs are unlocking new business opportunities, contributing to local economies, and shaping Ghana’s future.
About the HAPPY Program
The HAPPY Program is a four-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited, aiming to create 326,000 dignified jobs for Ghanaian youth—with a special focus on young women and persons with disabilities—within the rice, soybean, tomato, and poultry value chains.
Targeting youth aged 15-35, the program is implemented by an eight-member consortium, including Newage Agric Solutions, the National Service Authority (NSA), Ghana CARES (MiDA), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), TechnoServe, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and Jobberman.
