The National Inclusive and Indigenous Market Actors’ Convention (NIIMAC) has been launched under the Financial Inclusion for Last Mile Actors (FILMA) programme to strengthen Ghana’s indigenous markets and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people and persons with disabilities.
The initiative was launched at a National Policy Dialogue on Job Creation held at the ESP Hotel in Labone, Accra, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Delivering the keynote address, Investment and Program Director at AV Ventures LLC, Dr Zubeiru Salifu, said stronger market systems were needed to ensure that increased agricultural production translated into sustainable jobs and incomes.
He cited AV Ventures’ experience, noting that purchase orders covering 891 metric tonnes of rice, maize, cassava, gari and soybeans, valued at GH¢4.96 million, remained unfulfilled as of June 2026.
According to Dr Salifu, the situation highlights gaps in coordination between producers and buyers rather than simply a lack of agricultural production.
“Sustainable jobs for LMAs and PWDs will not be created by production alone; they will be created when production is effectively linked to reliable and inclusive markets.”
He said indigenous markets already play a critical role in connecting producers, traders, transporters, processors and consumers, and could become major drivers of youth employment if better organised and supported.
“Under the FILMA Programme, we believe indigenous markets can become powerful engines of youth employment when they are better connected, organised, and supported.”
Dr Salifu called for improved access to market information, stronger commodity aggregation systems, investment in market infrastructure and digital platforms, as well as better transport and logistics networks.
Four-year FILMA programme
The four-year FILMA programme, implemented by Temple Investments in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is focused on expanding opportunities for Last Mile Actors, including young people, women and persons with disabilities, across agricultural and related value chains.
The National Policy Dialogue brought together representatives from government, the private sector, indigenous market leadership and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to discuss strategies for creating sustainable employment.
Director at the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, Alhaji Sanni Adam, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting young people to realise their potential.
The launch of NIIMAC forms part of broader efforts under the FILMA programme to strengthen Ghana’s indigenous market systems and improve access to markets, skills and financial opportunities for Last Mile Actors.
Organisers believe that improving the connection between producers and buyers, while addressing infrastructure, financing and information gaps, can help unlock the employment potential of Ghana’s agricultural value chains.
Source: citinews
