From Organic Agriculture to a Bakery in Ghana

Ruth Amoako-Adusei chose to pursue a master’s degree in Organic Agriculture in Wageningen because she loved farming and always wanted to practice agriculture in a wholesome way without destroying the environment. She never understood why farmers always had to rely on pesticides, especially since she had already experimented with organic agriculture in her own backyard. There she discovered that farming without pesticides was indeed possible. She wanted to deepen her knowledge, and what better place to study than in Wageningen - the city with the best agricultural university in the world.

Memorable study period

Ruth: “My time in Wageningen was truly memorable. I lived in Dijkgraaf and had amazing corridor mates who made my experience fun and welcoming. During that period, lasting friendships were formed with both international and Dutch students and the highlight of my stay was being part of the Student Council. That experience exposed me to leadership, administration, and initiative-taking - skills that have shaped my journey beyond academics.

Life after graduation

Just before leaving the university, I switched to a vegan diet. As life unfolded, this inspired me to start Boujie Bakes Vegan, a thriving bakery where healthy plant-based snacks are produced.

I also co-founded Judah Climate Smart Farms, where we grow organic plantain, bananas, and pumpkins, some of which supply our bakery. Alongside entrepreneurship, I’ve been actively engaged in youth development—most notably through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), where I’ve facilitated business clinics across six cohorts, impacting hundreds of entrepreneurs, and coached several participants one-on-one. These ventures reflect both my academic foundation and my personal passions.

Impact on people’s lives

What excites me most is the variety - whether I’m experimenting with new vegan recipes, producing food sustainably on the farm, or coaching young entrepreneurs. The impact I see OF it has on people’s lives and businesses makes it especially fulfilling.
My recent trip back to the Netherlands to explore business and networking opportunities was eye-opening. I connected with entrepreneurs and partners while exploring opportunities to scale my businesses. It reminded me how valuable international networks are, and my next goal is to join the Food Valley Protein Community to further connect with the global plant-based food ecosystem.

Looking ahead, I plan to scale Boujie Bakes Vegan into a globally recognized brand for healthy plant-based snacks, and to grow Judah Climate Smart Farms into a model for sustainable farming in Africa. I also want to deepen my role in youth empowerment by mentoring and supporting more entrepreneurs.

Furthermore I enjoy gardening, especially growing flowers and vegetables, which keeps me connected to nature. I definitely continue to do so. I also enjoy mentoring young entrepreneurs – that is my way of giving back and sharing the knowledge I have gained.

Proud Wageninger

While I loved my time in the Netherlands, Ghana remains my home - my family, culture, and the foundation of my work are rooted there. Still, I consider myself fortunate to have ties to both Ghana and the Netherlands. Finally, I would like to say that I feel a proud alumna, Wageningen shaped so much of who I am today. The values of sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration continue to guide my work. I am proud to call myself a Wageninger and to be part of such an inspiring community.”