How i realized my identity through agriculture

 Life is an uncertain battle. Whether you win or lose depends on how you are able to manage your own endurance, perseverance, determination and passion as well as your history and mystery.

As Young Professionals, we all have stories to tell; the tragedies and victories of yesterdays which have made us who and what we are today.  My story may not be special from others, but it has something that I have never felt elsewhere. Thanks to YPARD.

My name is Nicholas Onwona,  a 25 year old who hails rom the Eastern Region of Ghana. I am a self-motivated advocator for youth development and doubles up as the founder of YEAR-AFRICA (Young Entrepreneurs and Agricultural Resolution-Africa) , a newly established organization . YEAR-AFRICA aims at mobilizing the agricultural colleges’ graduates and the general youths for entrepreneurship development considering the economic labor requirement challenges in Africa are way below the available demand and resources in Africa.

My inspiration in life begun when I had to cater for my own education at the age of 14. To meet my daily needs, sometimes  i had to sell rubber bags, sachet water and drinks among others in the capital of Ghana. I was desperate. But despite all that, I never gave up on my dreams and desires in life and this determination finally bore fruit. I graduated with first class distinction in General Agriculture from Kwadaso College of Agriculture (Ghana’s premium Agricultural College) making my family super proud.

I realized my in-built capabilities and projections while I was at college. The lecturing, practical, field visits and farmers’ need assessments and prioritizations initiated by the Engineers Without Borders-Canada (EWB-Canada) really opened my eyes to my real identity in life despite other temptations. Gender equality campaign, success in agriculture, overcoming life challenges, survival after school, survival tricks (role of agriculture), etc are some of the topics and talks that I have offered to churches, youth groups, students, etc. This is what i love doing and I am proud to be a mentor. My family-life experience in farming mingled with my college-life experience  have made me whom I am today.

Back at college, I was offered the challenge to have a dream and to achieve it, and also, to really seize the opportunities along the agricultural value chain. Together with some colleagues, I started a maize farm within the district of my college. One thing that I will never forget is the inspirations given by my lecturers including Mr. Eric Fordjour, Mr. Ishak Shaibu, Mr. Kofi Sallah and Mr. Albert Amoako all at Kwadaso Agricultural College, and the Engineers Without Borders. I currently farm  specifically cocoa with other arable crops.

My message to the world is that, there are still more ingenius people with hidden potential which can be unveiled to bring change not only to themselves but also to the whole universe as well. I believe that, one day, I will get more upper hands to join me in the campaign for the youth.

You can reach me via the folowing channels;

Email; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

facebook.com/nicholasonwona

Mobile number/whattsapp;+233247308668