Nutrition and Sustainable Agri-food Collaborative at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation (Nkabom Project), is equipping tutors of agricultural colleges in Ghana with skills in financial management, record-keeping and presentation.

The 10-day Training of Trainers initiative aims to help participants better manage agribusinesses and communicate ideas to potential investors.

The training covered both finance and corporate management.

“From the finance side, we discussed sources of funding that start-ups can rely on. It is critical for businesses to know where to secure funding and how to budget,” facilitator Mohammed Maahi said.

A key focus was the need for accurate record-keeping. “Many businesses fail due to poor or non-existent records,” Maahi said. “By tracking sales, expenses and other transactions, you can see if you are making a profit or a loss, and understand your business direction.”

Participants also learned to set clear business goals, including defining vision and mission statements.

Facilitator Gifty Afi Cudjoe led sessions on presentation skills, focusing on pitch deck preparation.

“We introduced a template to help them package business information in a way that appeals to investors,” she said.

She said a strong pitch requires communication skills, such as maintaining eye contact, showing confidence and controlling the data shared with a panel. Negotiation skills were also highlighted.

“If the amount you request is not approved, negotiation is key. We encourage participants to engage in discussions to reach a mutually beneficial outcome,” she said.