African Connections

African Connections collaborates with various private sector, governmental and non-governmental bodies on the development and implementation of sustainable rural economic development programs. These programs are aimed at enhancing livelihoods in a manner that empowers individuals and micro and small scale enterprises to become market-driven, self-sustaining and profitable.

The programs are designed to enable our multinational clients to meet their corporate responsibility objectives.For instance, after an in-depth assessment of a project area, an African Connections multi-disciplined team of professionals are implementing rural economic development initiatives such as the Ahafo Agribusiness Growth Initiative, (AAGI), in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.

Such initiatives typically involve some or all of the following:

• High Impact Training, (HIT), for farmer groups
• Training of Rural Bank loan officers
• Formation of farmer groups and associations
• Formation of agricultural processing groups and associations
• Linking groups and associations to market opportunities
• Linking farmer groups to microfinance institutions for micro credit products and services
• Linking farmer groups and associations to domestic and international market opportunities

The Ahafo Agribusiness Growth Initiative (AAGI) is a community based agricultural development initiatives designed to stimulate long term economic growth and improve livelihood in the mining areas of Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd.  It is aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity; improving farm management skills; increasing market linkages and supply chain interventions; and improving access to microfinance.

AAGI is implemented by African Connections in partnership with Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd (NGGL) and in collaboration with eight communities: Wamahinso, Gyedu, Ntotroso, Hwidiem, Kenyasi 1, Kenyasi 2, Nkaseim and Nkrankrom.

The same initiative is being implemented in Tano-Suraw in the Sefwi Wiawso and Bibiani –Anhwianso-Bekwai Districts in the Western Region known as the Tano-Suraw Agribusiness Growth Initiative (TAGI). TAGI is designed in partnership with Chirano Gold Mines Ltd (Chirano) and in collaboration with five communities in the mining areas of Chirano– Paboase, Akoti, Etwebo, Kwawkrom and Anyinase.

Our development work entails our experts training and assisting farmers and farmer associations to use best farming practices to enable farmers produce and market products in a manner designed to maximize quantity, quality and profit.

It also includes providing hands-on technical assistance and training to the entire agri-business value chain, such as rural banks, produce buyers, processors, storage facility operators and others who comprise the industry.