{
  "id": 16780889,
  "title": "SAWA Program: Newage begins training of first cohort of ‘urban bluers’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/sawa-program-newage-begins-training-of-first-cohort-of-urban-bluers",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-27T18:25:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Joy Business",
    "slug": "joy-business",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/sawa-program-newage-begins-training-of-first-cohort-of-urban-bluers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Newage Agric Solutions Ltd. hosted the inaugural hands-on field training for the inaugural group of participants in its Urban Blue initiative, as part of the Sustainable Aquaculture for Women Advancement (SAWA) Program, at the Saletso Industrial Hub in Ghana's Eastern Region. This marks a new phase in the program's goal of preparing young women for home-based catfish production businesses.\n\nThe training took place on October 15, 2026, and involved the first cohort of female participants, known as Bluers, who had completed the initiative's online learning course. Beyond theory, the sessions immersed participants in practical aquaculture tasks, including catfish production, tank assembly, water management, and identifying appropriate stocking density.\n\nLed by Mr. Ken Nelson, the practical demonstrations included feeding practices, tank assembly, water management, and determining stocking density based on tank capacity. Participants collaborated in teams to assemble and fix tarpaulin fish tanks, determine water levels and stocking density. These exercises equipped the Bluers with the skills needed when they receive their starter packages and establish their own production units at home, fostering teamwork, shared problem-solving, and peer learning.\n\nIn addition to the practical exercises, Newage's General Manager, Mr. Martin Tettey Nartey, led a business-focused session introducing participants to turning their aquaculture skills into a livelihood. The program also featured a visit to Adwenepa Hub, another SAWA initiative, and Saletso's cereal processing unit, giving participants insight into food processing and agribusiness opportunities.\n\nA Gender, Safeguarding, and Inclusion session led by Ms. Berlinda Sarfoa Owiredu addressed respect, safe environments, and managing concerns about unsafe behavior. For Buler Gariba, the hands-on training was particularly significant. Initially disliking catfish, she joined the initiative to challenge herself. The practical training helped ease her fears and solidified her commitment to the business as her own.\n\nThe Sustainable Aquaculture for Women Advancement (SAWA) Program, a four-year initiative of the Mastercard Foundation, aims to unlock 60,000 jobs for young women aged 18-35, including 3,000 with disabilities, across the aquaculture value chain. Implemented in partnership with Agri-Impact Ltd, the SAWA Program is women-centered and being executed across Ghana with Newage Agric Solutions Ltd. Through its Urban Blue initiative, Newage supports women aged 18-35 interested in establishing home-based catfish production businesses, offering training, technical support, and starter packages. The initiative received over 1,000 applications, with successful candidates organized into cohorts for training. The first cohort's field training represents a significant step in Urban Blue's rollout, with more cohorts planned.",
  "summary": "Newage Agric Solutions Ltd. has held the first hands-on field training for participants in its Urban Blue initiative, under the Sustainable Aquaculture for Women Advancement (SAWA) Program at the Saletso Industrial Hub at Okwenya in the Eastern Region of Ghana, marking a new stage in their preparation to establish home-based catfish production businesses. The training combines practical catfish…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}