GFA participates in Business and Investment Forum during Africa Day in Hamburg

Posted on 3 Jun, 2019 by Anja Desai

Managing Director Christoph Schaefer-Kehnert of GFA, accompanied by experts from the company's Education, Skills and Employment (ESE) Department, joined African diaspora in Germany in celebrating Africa Day in Hamburg on 22 May, 2019. The Business and Investment Forum in the context of the event was co-sponsored GFA. The director of the ESE Department, Anja Desai, gave an introductory note on Skills Development in the Agricultural Sector. A keynote speech related to the same topic was provided by Greg Umaya, GFA Regional Coordinator in East Africa for the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET). 

One speaker after the other emphasized the urgency of a relevant skilled workforce for key economic sectors such as agriculture, mining and petroleum. Many of them pointed out repeatedly that relevant skills as well as viable business and investment are the key to success for Africa to achieve food security and increase employment opportunities for its rapidly growing young population. The deliberations during this forum are a testimony of the indispensable contribution of GFA towards skills development, particularly through TVET. 
In light of the saying “variety is the spice of life”, the forum was not without surprising radical questions and remarks by the audience. For example, GFA was challenged to dissuade the European Union from subsidizing its farmers, which makes the latter outcompete African farmers. Another speaker chastised African societies for having higher social trust if they are to aspire sustainable and fast economic development. 

> Website Africa Day

Photo index: Greg Umaya delivering keynote speech on Skills Development in Agriculture