CIRAD-ISSER policy brief outlines strategies to strengthen research-policy nexus in Ghana's Agricultural Development System

  • July 15, 2024 By Vquartey
  • Time to read 1 minute
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Photo: Freepik

In Ghana, policymakers continue to grapple with complex developmental challenges, such as poverty and food insecurity. Despite the potential for research to inform policy decisions, a notable gap persists – stemming from limited interactions between agricultural sector research entities and policy-makers -- hindering effective policy solutions.

In a collaborative effort to strengthen Ghana's agricultural development, CIRAD, ISSER, IFPRI have issued a policy brief focusing on the crucial link between research and policy within the sector. Highlighting the disconnect between research findings and policymaking, the brief emphasizes the need for a more integrated approach, ensuring that research insights translate into actionable policies addressing challenges in the sector.

The study used an integrated research method involving focus groups, interviews, and social network analyses. Findings reveal that the most influential actors within Ghana's agricultural research and development landscape include donors, research centres, and governmental bodies like the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. However, despite the presence of these influential actors, the study reveals a significant gap in information exchange between research entities and policymakers.

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Figure1: Network of actors per field of activities for funding and information flows. Photo: the authors

To bridge this gap, the policy brief recommends strengthening multi-stakeholder platforms to coordinate development activities in the agricultural sector. These platforms would facilitate increased involvement from both national and international research actors, fostering dialogue and collaboration to jointly shape a research agenda aligned with policymakers' needs.

It further suggests the revitalization of the Agricultural Sector Working Group as an inclusive platform for all stakeholders. Within these collaborative spaces, stakeholders can collectively develop research priorities, ensuring that findings are relevant and accessible to policymakers.

The full policy brief is available for download here. For further information, inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author, Dr. Guillaume Soulier, at guillaume.soullier@cirad.fr.