The Maggot Saving Humanity

25year old Samuel Boadu is raising an army of tiny black-winged soldiers to combat waste mismanagement and the looming crises of youth unemployment in Ghana.

Without a university degree or seed capital, Samuel has built a thriving business using Black Soldier Flies (BSF) to transform Ghana’s mounting organic waste into high-protein livestock feed and organic fertilizer. What sounds like a science fiction is now a reality, Samuel supplies over 200 tons of Black soldier fly larvae each month, and has trained and employed dozens of young Ghanaians, especially women.

Samuel Boadu is a social innovator and green entrepreneur pioneering insect-based waste solutions in Ghana. He is the founder of Wiggling Gold, a regenerative agribusiness that transforms organic waste into high-protein livestock feed and organic fertilizer using Black Soldier Fly larvae.

Breaking the Waste Cycle with Insects

At first glance, a fly farm might not seem like a site of innovation. But in Ghana where 60% of the solid waste generated is organic, accumulated from fruit peels, leftover food, crop residues, and market discards. This mountain of biodegradable refuse is a looming sanitation crisis yet wealth in circulation.

“We have a sanitation problem, but the problem is actually raw material in disguise,” Samuel says, guiding us through the steaming fermentation tanks of his pre-processing unit in Asuboi in the Eastern Region

Central to his operation lies an elegantly simple process that mimics nature’s own waste recycling system. Organic waste sourced from local food processing companies is brought in truckloads, sorted, and then crushed into a fine paste. Mango pulp, rice bran, wheat husks, and even palm Kernel cake are blended to the right texture and feed to the Black soldier flies. Within 14 days, these larvae, grow into plump, protein-rich organisms ready to be dried and sold as feed for fish, poultry, and pigs. This part of the cycle alone reduces dependency on imported fishmeal and soy-based feeds, which are not only expensive but also linked to environmental degradation.

“Black soldier flies eat anything organic, so we just feed our “problem” to them, then it neutralizes harmful pathogens like cholera and turn it into high-quality nutrients for animals, the soil, and for us in the long run” Samuel explains.

But the process stretches beyond its rich protein value. The residue left behind which is the by-product of what the larvae could not digest undergoes its own transformation. This dark, soil-like material becomes organic bio-fertilizer, teeming with microbial life and nutrients that restore soil fertility naturally.

“We produce between 9 and 10 tons of bio-fertilizer from each batch of black soldier fly. It’s clean, odorless, and packed with what plants need to thrive.” Samuel shares

Research conducted by Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) supports his claim, Black Soldier flies-derived fertilizers outperform many inorganic alternatives on the market, offering higher nutrient retention and better soil conditioning. And unlike chemical fertilizers, they do not degrade the land over time.

From Backyard to Bulk Supply

Samuel success today, marked by international partnership and growing supply chain stand in stark contrast to his beginning.  He first encountered this BSF farming through his mentor, a retired teacher and fish farmer who was in desperately search of a cheaper and sustainable alternative to imported fish feed.  Intrigued by the environmental and economic viability of this little-known insect, Samuel began his research journey through free online courses and self-led experiment.

“I couldn’t even raise 500 Ghana cedis at the time. So, I used old gallons as trays and started a small batch in my backyard in Kokrobite.” He recalls.

Bit by bit, the vision grew. With every small income from training sessions and consultations, he reinvested into expanding his setup. From a modest operation in Accra’s suburbs, his company has now scaled into a multi-regional enterprise, including an 8-ton facility in Kumasi, with partnerships stretching across the country. Yet, demand still outpaces supply.

“We have standing orders of over 500 tons. One farm alone asked for 100 tons. That’s why we’re pushing partnerships. It’s the only way to scale” he says

This explosive demand stems from Black soldier fly’s superior nutritional profile.

Empowering Women and Youth

Beyond the science and profit, Samuel’s operation stands as a model of inclusive agribusiness. The farm’s workforce is predominantly female, an intentional move by Samuel.

“People say rural jobs are not for women. But we create roles here, where women form an integral part to the entire value chain. Women are in charge of sieving, mixing, and administration works” he shares.

One such success story is Mary Quainoo, a university graduate who struggled to find employment.

“At first, I was hesitant. The flies were overwhelming. But after the training, I found purpose and I am now encouraging other young women to enter this space. It’s very lucrative and impactful.” she explains.

Samuel’s mentorship model is spreading a ripple effect across Ghana. Through training programs, he empowers young people to start their own BSF farms.

“Black Soldier Flies alone cut across nine of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This is not just a business, it’s a movement,” he insists.

A Message to the Job-Seeking Youth

For many Ghanaian youth, the promise of a white-collar job remains the holy grail. Samuel offers a different perspective.

“After school, you have defeated illiteracy not poverty. Tertiary education is helpful, but it’s not the only route. Start with what you have. Even if it’s small.” He pointed out

His advice is both pragmatic and empowering. Samuel Boadu may not hold a university degree, but he operates with the precision of a trained scientist and the mindset of an innovator.

“People are surprised when they come to my house and see lab apparatus. I did business in SHS, but I love science.” he says with a laugh.

That passion now fuels his growing enterprise, where experimentation isn’t just a hobby but the engine of efficiency. Every phase of production is monitored meticulously, from weight and moisture levels to growth cycles to ensure maximum output.

Conclusion

Samuel’s work reveals a profound truth that some of humanity’s most urgent problems may already have answers embedded in nature, if only we pay attention. The maggot, long seen as a symbol of decay, is no longer just consuming waste; it is restoring soil, creating livelihoods, and shaping a cleaner, regenerative future.