Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mathias Charles Yabe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mathias Charles , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience is rooted in my upbringing in a small farming community in Ghana. Watching my parents, small-scale farmers, persevere through unpredictable weather and limited resources taught me the value of determination and adaptability.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I drew on these lessons to develop a disability-friendly virtual learning platform for hearing-impaired students, despite limited resources and no prior experience. This platform reached over 850 students and earned international recognition.
Similarly, when I launched AkoFresh, introducing solar-powered cold storage technology to underserved communities, I faced skepticism and logistical hurdles. Yet, I leaned on the strength instilled in me by my community, adapting and pushing forward to create a solution that now reduces post-harvest losses and transforms rural livelihoods.
My resilience comes from the challenges I’ve faced, the unwavering hope of my community, and the belief that obstacles are stepping stones to impact and growth.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am Mathias Charles Yabe, the Founder and CEO of AkoFresh, an AgriTech startup focused on reducing post-harvest losses in agriculture using sustainable solutions. At AkoFresh, we leverage solar-powered cold storage technology to extend the shelf life of perishable crops from five days to 21 days. This innovation helps farmers reduce food waste, earn better incomes, and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
What makes AkoFresh special is its dual focus on impact and sustainability. Beyond technology, we empower rural farmers with climate-smart agriculture training and digital skills, equipping them for a resilient future. Over the past year, we’ve trained more than 8000 farmers in Ghana, helping them adopt practices that improve livelihoods and food security.
We’re also pioneering new initiatives, including a mobile cold storage trailer that will serve urban markets like Accra, and an offline training tool in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation to make resources accessible to underserved communities.
Our work aligns deeply with global efforts to combat food insecurity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable farming. AkoFresh represents not just a brand but a movement towards equitable food systems, and I’m excited to continue driving innovation and impact in this space.
Looking ahead, we are expanding our operations with new partnerships, technology advancements, and regional pilots, ensuring our solutions reach even more communities in Ghana and beyond.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience:
The ability to navigate challenges and setbacks has been critical in my journey. From limited resources to overcoming skepticism, resilience helped me stay focused on the bigger picture.
Advice: Cultivate resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Break problems into smaller, actionable steps, and always keep your end goal in sight.
Creative Problem-Solving:
Innovation has been at the heart of my work, whether it’s developing solar-powered cold storage or creating a learning platform for hearing-impaired students during the pandemic.
Advice: Hone your problem-solving skills by seeking diverse perspectives and experimenting with unconventional solutions. Stay curious and be open to learning from failures.
Empathy and Community Engagement:
Understanding the needs of the people I serve has shaped the solutions I create. Building trust and involving the community in decision-making ensures lasting impact.
Advice: Spend time engaging with your audience or beneficiaries. Listen actively to their stories, challenges, and aspirations to design solutions that truly address their needs.
My advice is ton invest in continuous learning. Whether it’s acquiring technical knowledge, improving communication skills, or learning from mentors, growth is a constant process.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
At AkoFresh, collaboration is key to our mission of reducing post-harvest losses, empowering farmers, and promoting climate-smart agriculture. We are seeking partners passionate about transforming food systems and enhancing resilience in rural communities.
We welcome agricultural stakeholders, such as NGOs, cooperatives, and government agencies, to help expand access to our solar-powered cold storage solutions and training programs. Technology partners can collaborate with us to enhance and scale our systems, while investors and funding organizations can support us in reaching more communities and piloting new innovations.
Academic and research institutions are also vital as we test ideas and build knowledge for agricultural resilience.
If you share our vision, reach out at mathias@akofresh.com or visit www.akofresh.com. Together, we can create a sustainable, food-secure future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mathiasyabe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathias_c.y/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathias-charles-yabe-266b7415a
- Twitter: https://x.com/_mathiascharles?s=21
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