St. John’s Grammar Crowned Best SHS at 2025 School Farm Awards: Boosting Youth Agribusiness in Ghana

Introduction

In a landmark achievement for agriculture education in Ghana, St. John’s Grammar Senior High School (SHS) from the Greater Accra Region has been named the very best senior high school at the 2025 School Farm Awards. Organized by the Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and Blue Skies Foundation, this event celebrates excellence in school farming programs and youth-led agribusiness initiatives. Held in Kumasi, the awards underscore a growing movement to transform agriculture from a traditional chore into a vibrant, STEM-infused industry for Ghana’s future.

The theme, “Rethinking Agriculture – Growing Young Minds to Feed Ghana’s Future,” highlights the need to engage young Ghanaians in sustainable farming practices and entrepreneurial thinking. With participation surging to over 700 schools across all 16 regions—up from 450 in 2024—this program demonstrates rising enthusiasm for agribusiness in Ghanaian schools. This introduction sets the stage for understanding how such initiatives foster practical skills, business acumen, and food security.

Event Overview and Partners

The School Farm Awards provide schools with seeds, fertilizers, basic equipment, and expert mentorship. Participants not only grow vegetables but also develop comprehensive business plans, turning school farms into potential income-generating ventures. This holistic approach aligns with Ghana’s educational goals for hands-on learning in STEM agriculture.

Analysis

The victory of St. John’s Grammar SHS as the top best SHS in Ghana for school farming reveals deeper insights into the evolving landscape of youth agribusiness education. Judging criteria extended beyond mere crop yields to include consistent high-quality farming practices, innovative business integration in cultivation, and the robustness of business plans. This multifaceted evaluation ensures that winning schools exemplify sustainable agriculture in education, capable of scaling into viable enterprises.

Nana Joe Mensah, Board Chairman of KIC, praised the program as one of Ghana’s “most transformative youth initiatives.” It bridges government, private sector innovation, and schools to promote practical education, discipline, and sustainability. The event brought together students, teachers, government officials, and brand partners to celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth-driven solutions in agriculture.

Participation Growth and Regional Impact

From 450 schools in 2024 to over 700 in 2025, the program’s expansion across all 16 regions signals widespread adoption. In the junior high school (JHS) category, Gbulahagu D/A Junior High School from the Northern Region claimed the highest honor, showcasing that school farm programs Ghana benefit learners at all levels.

Educational and Economic Implications

By embedding business planning with farming, the awards teach students to view agriculture through an entrepreneurial lens. This pedagogical shift counters outdated perceptions, positioning agribusiness STEM Ghana as a pathway to economic empowerment and national food security.

Summary

St. John’s Grammar SHS emerged as the overall best senior high school at the 2025 College Farm Awards (also known as School Farm Awards), hosted by KIC, Mastercard Foundation, and Blue Skies Foundation in Kumasi. Gbulahagu D/A JHS won the JHS category. Over 700 schools participated, focusing on crop production, sustainable practices, and business plans under the theme of rethinking agriculture for Ghana’s youth. Key highlights include mentorship, resource provision, and quotes emphasizing agriculture’s importance from students and educators.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For schools aiming to excel in future School Farm Awards Ghana, adopt these verifiable, step-by-step strategies drawn from the program’s structure and winners’ experiences.

Starting a School Farm

Begin by securing inputs like seeds and fertilizers through partnerships like KIC. Allocate a dedicated plot, involve students in daily tasks to build discipline, and integrate STEM lessons—such as soil testing or irrigation design—to enhance learning.

Developing Business Plans

Craft plans that detail crop selection, market analysis, costing, and sales strategies. For instance, calculate yields, projected revenues, and reinvestment for sustainability. Use simple tools like spreadsheets to make plans robust and judge-ready.

Leveraging Mentorship

Engage local experts for guidance on pest management and value addition, like processing vegetables. Track progress with records to demonstrate consistent practices, a key judging criterion.

Student Engagement Tips

Follow David’s advice: Encourage youth to learn agriculture skills seriously. Organize clubs for peer motivation, as seen in Gbulahagu JHS’s success through collective effort.

Points of Caution

While rewarding, school farm programs present challenges, as noted by award-winning teacher Mohammed Abdul-Rashid: “It hasn’t been an easy journey.” Common hurdles include resource limitations, weather variability, and maintaining student commitment.

Addressing Challenges

Ensure consistent teacher-student collaboration to overcome obstacles. Avoid over-reliance on yields by prioritizing quality practices. Monitor for pests early and diversify crops to mitigate risks, ensuring farms remain educational assets rather than burdens.

Sustainability Focus

Teachers should view agriculture as a “solution” to community challenges, per Abdul-Rashid, but plan for long-term maintenance post-awards to prevent farm abandonment.

Comparison

Comparing 2025 to 2024, participation grew from 450 to over 700 schools, reflecting heightened interest in youth agribusiness Ghana. St. John’s Grammar SHS outperformed other SHS contenders with superior business integration, while Gbulahagu D/A JHS dominated JHS through teamwork.

SHS vs. JHS Categories

SHS winners like St. John’s likely emphasized advanced business plans, suitable for older students, whereas JHS successes, like Gbulahagu, focused on foundational skills and encouragement. Both categories reward sustainability, but SHS farms aim for greater enterprise scale.

Regional Breakdown

Greater Accra’s win highlights urban-rural bridging, contrasting Northern Region’s JHS victory, which showcases equitable access across Ghana’s 16 regions.

Legal Implications

The 2025 School Farm Awards operate within Ghana’s educational framework, complying with Ministry of Education guidelines on practical agriculture curricula. No specific legal issues arise from participation, as the program emphasizes standard farming practices and business education without regulated commercial activities for minors. Schools must ensure child labor laws are followed, limiting student involvement to supervised, educational hours.

Conclusion

The crowning of St. John’s Grammar as the best SHS at 2025 School Farm Awards exemplifies how initiatives like KIC’s are reshaping agriculture education Ghana. By fostering STEM-driven agribusiness, these programs equip youth to feed Ghana’s future sustainably. As participation surges, the message from winners—embrace agriculture as a skill and solution—resonates. Schools nationwide should draw inspiration, turning plots into enterprises and minds into innovators.

This achievement not only honors top performers but catalyzes broader adoption of school farming programs, promising economic and nutritional benefits for generations.

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