Growing up, Macklin Gbafa watched his father's tilapia farm struggle with recurring challenges that eventually led to its collapse. For many young people, that experience would have been enough to turn them away from agrifood altogether. But for Macklin, it sparked a different question:
"What if there was a better way?"
Years later, as a student at the University of Ghana, Macklin began exploring how he could build a more sustainable business. Although he had entrepreneurial ambitions, he lacked the practical skills and support needed to transform his ideas into a viable venture.
That changed when he joined the first cohort of the Nkabom Venture Quest at the University of Ghana in 2025.
Through training, Macklin gained new insights into building and managing a business during this bootcamp. The training included design thinking, product development, budgeting, bookkeeping, marketing, storytelling, as well as exposure to agribusinesses across Ghana.
By the end of the programme, his aquaponics business idea had secured $1,000 in seed funding from the Nkabom Collaborative at UG.
In addition to financial support, Macklin benefited from mentorship. Dr. Angela Lamptey from the University of Ghana's Marine and Fisheries Sciences Department provided technical guidance on fish production and system design, while Dr. Addoquaye Tagoe helped him think through the financial realities of entrepreneurship.
Today, Macklin is the founder of Maclsland, a growing catfish and vegetable enterprise that combines fish and vegetable production in a single integrated system. The venture currently hosts more than 550 fish and 160 heads of lettuce.
His farming system recycles nutrient-rich wastewater from fish production to support plant growth while improving water quality for the fish. The approach reduces waste, increases efficiency, and demonstrates how innovation can contribute to more sustainable food production.
"When I learned about water quality, things started clicking. I kept thinking about why the fish kept dying on my father's farm, so I wanted to build something different," he says.
Macklin's confidence is strengthened by the growing demand for fish in Ghana. For him, the business represents more than a source of income, it is an opportunity to contribute to local food production while building a sustainable career.
Each month, he sells an average of five fish, generating income to support himself as a student while laying the foundation for future growth.
With graduation approaching, he is already planning the next phase of the business.
"I am currently in the process of registering my business," he says. "My goal is to process fish into shelf-stable products, diversify income streams, and create more jobs."
Macklin's journey demonstrates what can happen when young people are equipped with the skills, mentorship, networks, and resources needed to pursue entrepreneurship. His story is a powerful reminder that the agrifood system offers real opportunities for innovation, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods.