Okyeame Kwame pushes for free university education to revive Ghana's farming sector

Ghanaian hip-hop artist Okyeame Kwame has launched a passionate call for free university education targeted at children of farmers, arguing the policy is essential to revitalise the country's agricultural sector and reduce reliance on imported food.

Speaking during an appearance on Hitz FM's Daybreak Hitz show, the musician highlighted a troubling paradox: whilst Ghana has rolled out free primary and secondary education, tertiary education remains inaccessible to many farming families, effectively discouraging young people from pursuing agricultural careers. "At this point of our economy, we still import onions from a deserted country," he noted, pointing to the absurdity of Ghana's food import bill despite its agricultural potential.

The core argument: breaking the cycle of agricultural decline

Okyeame Kwame's proposal taps into a fundamental challenge facing Ghana's farming communities. When agricultural families cannot afford university fees, talented young people abandon farming for other sectors, leaving behind an ageing farmer demographic with limited access to modern techniques and technology. By making tertiary education free for farmers' children, the government could reverse this brain drain and enable the next generation to bring innovation back to their family farms.

The artist referenced historical precedent, noting that Ghana previously operated successful farmer scholarship schemes that had measurable positive impact on agricultural output. He envisions a future where young farmers study agriculture at university, acquire cutting-edge knowledge and technology, and return to the sector equipped to transform production efficiency and profitability.

Okyeame Kwame, who carries the moniker "Rap Dacta," has long positioned himself as an advocate for national development, championing causes from climate action to Made in Ghana initiatives and public health campaigns. His latest musical release, Big Up—a collaboration with reggae and dancehall artist Jah Lead—echoes this message of societal appreciation, spotlighting the often-undervalued contributions of farmers and other essential professionals.

Why it matters for Ghana: Food security and economic resilience

Ghana's agricultural sector remains the backbone of rural livelihoods and national food security, yet chronic underinvestment in farmer incomes and youth engagement threatens long-term productivity. The country currently spends significant foreign exchange importing basic foodstuffs—from vegetables to grains—that could feasibly be produced domestically. This dependency undermines economic sovereignty and wastes resources that could circulate within local economies.

Free tertiary education for farmers' children addresses multiple policy objectives simultaneously: it reduces the rural-urban migration that destabilises rural communities; it creates a pathway for skills transfer and technological adoption in agriculture; and it signals to farming families that their profession is valued by government. Young, educated farmers are more likely to adopt improved seeds, mechanisation, climate-resilient practices and market-oriented production strategies that increase yields and profitability.

The proposal also aligns with broader development priorities. Without a thriving agricultural sector, Ghana cannot achieve food security, create rural employment, or sustain the tax base needed to fund health and education systems. As Okyeame Kwame stressed, "without them there is no economy, there is no education, there is no health."

Whether policymakers will embrace this recommendation remains to be seen. However, the call from a respected cultural figure with a genuine track record of advocacy may help elevate agricultural policy on the national agenda—and remind Ghanaians that farming is not a fallback career, but a strategic national priority deserving targeted public investment.