A student in Sustainable Agribusiness and Food Engineering (i-SAFE) program at Unilasalle Rouen, France reached out to AgroCold in 2023 to undertake her internship as part of her academic program’s requirement. Line Melissa ONDAYE EYENGUI, a dedicated, adventurous, and hardworking young lady who originally came from Congo Brazzaville but schools in France serve her internship period with AgroCold in Ghana.

She was the first international intern among other brilliant interns AgroCold has trained over the past years in Ghana. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

My internship was an eye-opener! I gained hands-on knowledge in food loss management, bookkeeping, and best practices for growing perishable produce. The AgroCold team were super supportive. They supported my participation of the Agricultural Innovation for Africa Conference (AiA) organised by the Kosmos Innovation Center in Accra, Ghana. I learnt a lot and also networked with like-minded participants that shared similar areas of studies and interests.

In addition to the travel and conference experience, Melissa explored farm management practices at the University Of Cape Coast (UCC) Teaching and Research Farm. She worked at the following units; vegetable production, poultry, piggery, and sales. The farm manager and staff were very welcoming and supportive during her learning process.

Melissa also took time to engage with some community school children during one of AgroCold’s community engagement. The children introduced her to the Fante language while she taught them French. The children were excited to learn from her. They admired her courage on taking the initiative to be in Ghana for internship.

Wrapping Up with Key Insights

Melissa had a wonderful experience with AgroCold during her short stay. As we celebrate her and all the women making waves in science and agriculture, we are reminded of the importance of empowering women in STEM fields. AgroCold is committed to supporting women in science and agriculture, driving innovation, and fostering a more sustainable future.