Ghana's journey towards self-reliance was based on collaboration and input, particularly from the youth. And in the 1960s, when Ghana was at the peak of its industrial strength, young, energetic workers were leading this effort.

However, by 1972, Ghana was facing a severe economic crisis characterised by high inflation, shortages of essential goods, lack of market access, and overall economic and political instability.

At the time, Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, who came to power through a coup d'état, aimed to unite Ghanaians to help the country recover by participating in various nationalistic and self-sustaining activities.

Known as "Operation Feed Yourself," the initiative promoted self-reliance and community involvement to address the economic crisis.

As part of this national effort, Colonel Acheampong's administration mobilised students across the country to engage in agricultural activities, which were crucial for Ghana's economic revitalisation strategy.

One of the main locations where these young people worked was the Asutsuare Sugar Plantation, where sugarcane was harvested.

This plantation, located in the Eastern Region, played a significant role in increasing local sugar production to reduce dependence on imports and was a key agricultural initiative under Acheampong's rule.

Recently, some video footage from that era has surfaced on social media, showing Ghanaian students assisting with the sugarcane harvest at the plantation.

Their collective efforts resulted in the successful harvesting of 120 tons of sugarcane at the time.

These energetic young students were seen on the plantation cutting sugarcane sticks and loading them onto trucks.

The "Operation Feed Yourself" initiative has since become a symbol of a broader national effort to revive the economy through self-reliance and community participation.

See the video below:

Footage: Some Ghanaian students responding to the new ruling military government's call of Col. Ignatius Acheampong for all Ghanaian to help pull the country out of its present economic crisis, turned out to harvest 120 tons of sugarcane at the Asutsuare sugar plantation, 1972. pic.twitter.com/YsYhCWpIOt

— GHANA FACTS & HISTORY (@GhanaianMuseum) August 13, 2024