The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa will deliver a keynote address at the 2nd AgriFood Future 2024 in Salerno, Italy.

The AgriFood Future, a premier event scheduled from September 8 to 11, 2024, will feature her keynote on the topic "Women Leading in Agritech." The address is expected to highlight the vital role women are playing, will play, and can play in advancing global food systems when given the platform.

Alberta will also share Agrihouse Foundation’s agricultural interventions and the growth and impacts these initiatives have made within the African region.

The AgriFood Future is organized by Unioncamere and the Chamber of Commerce of Salerno, with the patronage of the European Parliament and the Italian Ministries of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry; Environment and Energy Security; and Businesses and Made in Italy. This year’s event will focus on the theme "Building a Business in the Food System 5.0 with AI," highlighting and exploring innovative practices, partnerships, and collaborations that can drive growth and efficiency within the agri-food sector.

Alberta’s participation is particularly strategic this year as AgriFood Future seeks to broaden its scope to cover the African and Caribbean regions in both the short and long term.

This major event is expected to lead to the expansion and participation of more African and Caribbean countries, offering opportunities to engage with global business in food systems and collectively contribute to its development.

In a statement, the President of Unioncamere and promoter of AgriFood Future, Mr. Andrea Prete, expressed his excitement about having Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa as a keynote speaker for the event.

According to him, her participation in AgriFood Future 2024 will help promote and create opportunities for Ghana, Africa, and the Caribbean regions on the global stage.

"Ms. Akosa has been at the forefront of transforming agricultural practices in Africa, particularly through her work in promoting innovation, sustainability, and capacity building within the agricultural community in Ghana.

Her expertise in leveraging technology and fostering collaboration within the sector aligns perfectly with the themes of our conference," he added.

"Her participation is a testament to her exceptional leadership and pioneering contributions to the agri-food sector," Mr. Prete further acknowledged.

"We look forward to her keynote address and the rich discussions that will follow as we work together to build a more sustainable and inclusive AgriFood Future."

Adding his voice, the Scientific Director for AgriFood Future, Alex Giordano, stated that Ms. Akosa’s selection to speak at AgriFood Future 2024 is in recognition of the substantial impact Agrihouse Foundation has made in Ghana’s agricultural sector, particularly in youth advocacy, women’s empowerment, and enhancing market accessibility through their initiatives and interventions.

"As a leading advocate for women, youth, and men in Ghana’s agricultural sector, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa embodies the spirit of innovation and progress that AgriFood Future aims to celebrate."

Her insights and participation at this year’s 2nd AgriFood Future will undoubtedly provide invaluable perspectives on the role of women in advancing global food systems and highlight how Africa can contribute to and benefit from global AgriFood advancements.

Sharing her excitement, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Unioncamere for the opportunity to deliver a keynote address at the 2nd AgriFood Future 2024.

"I am honoured to be the first Ghanaian to address attendees at this year’s AgriFood Future, and I look forward to discussing how women leaders in Agritech are driving innovation and how Ghana and Africa can harness these advancements to create a more sustainable and equitable food system."

She further emphasized that her insights aim to position Ghana and Africa as key players in the global agricultural arena, fostering valuable connections and business opportunities across international borders.

"The AgriFood Future 2024 provides an invaluable platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration. Through this, I will also explore how Africa can leverage global platforms like AgriFood Future to enhance agricultural practices," stated Ms. Akosa.

Under Ms. Akosa’s leadership, Agrihouse Foundation has been instrumental in executing initiatives designed to unlock the potential of youth, women, and men for innovation in the agricultural sector.

These initiatives include the Gathering of the Royals, Agricultural Student Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogues Bootcamps, Monthly Agriwoman Marketplaces, Executive Beginner Agribusiness Masterclasses, Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Forums, and the Gold in the Soil Awards.

Additionally, Agrihouse Foundation hosts the annual Pre-Harvest Agribusiness Conference and Exhibitions, the Livestock, Poultry, and Fisheries Tradeshow, Ghana Agrochemical and Crop Protection Exhibitions and Awards (GACA), 1Household 1Garden, and Ghana Poultry Day.

These initiatives continue to empower the next generation of agricultural leaders, particularly in rural communities, where the potential for innovation is vast but often untapped.