The Ghana inception was held on 21 February, involving representatives from key local and international institutions operating in various agricultural commodity value chains across the country.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) is one of five countries in Africa selected to implement a research initiative aiming to maximize the impact of agricultural investments. The initiative, Policy Prioritization through Value Chain Analysis (PPVC), is designed to deepen understanding of national commodity value chains and guide informed public and private investment. Over the next three years, Ghana and Zambia will embark on this journey, following successful implementation in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Ethiopia. This initiative is made possible through strategic partnerships with selected national think tanks, ensuring its effectiveness and sustainability.
The think tanks, all members of the African Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI), include ISSER in Ghana, and the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute in Zambia. The others are the Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Kenya; the Bureau for Agricultural Consultancy and Advisory Services at Sokoine University, in Tanzania and the MwaPATA Institute in Malawi.
Using the PPVC, a tool developed through a collaborative effort between the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the team of researchers of each participating country will undertake a rigorous analysis of country specific commodity value chains. The primary activity involves a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of value chains to determine their potential for driving economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and dietary diversity. The objective is to make a reliable business case for the top three value chains worthy of prioritization in terms of policies and financial investment.
Inception workshop held to introduce initiative and garner support
BFAP representatives, Marion Delport and Gerhard Van Der Burgh give a detailed presentation of the PPVC approach .
Central to the success of PPVC is the engagement of stakeholders at every level of the agricultural ecosystem. Recognizing the importance of stakeholder inputs in facilitating successful implementation and relevance of the study, the researchers on 21 February 2024 arranged an inception workshop, engaging representatives from key local and international institutions operating in different agricultural commodity value chains in the country. The objective of the forum, among others, was to introduce the PPVC framework to relevant stakeholders, outdoor the roadmap for PPVC implementation in Ghana and discuss the support needed for a successful implementation.
“We do not intend to do anything without your involvement; we are doing this with you,” Dr. Andrew Agyei-Holmes, Principal Investigator said, underscoring the research team’s commitment to engage stakeholders and integrate their input.
The research team reaffirms their dedication to integrating stakeholder input into project activities. Here, Dr. Agyei-Holmes diligently records participant submissions during engaging interactions.
It’s good that we have started with you now, this is vital to help us understand our role in advancing the objectives of the project,” Mr. Amatus K.B. Deyang, Director of Engineering Services at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) said, as he pledged his support and that of his colleagues to the project implementation process.
Workshop participants delved into insightful discussions with BFAP and ISSER research teams, gaining invaluable firsthand insights on Ghana's PPVC and its practical implementation.
Other organizations represented at the forum included the University of Ghana, National Development Planning Commission, COCOBOD, Private Enterprises Federation, Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
At a time of limited resources and deepening global and national social and economic challenges, identifying the most effective policies and investments to drive development objectives is critical to advancing sustainable development. By assessing market competitiveness, profitability, and alignment with national goals, the Policy Prioritization through Value Chain Analysis (PPVC) research approach has the potential to unearth actionable insights that can inform policy decisions and drive effective prioritization of investments.
The PPVC research team at ISSER comprises Prof. Peter Quartey, Dr. Andrew Agyei-Holmes, and Dr. Nana Amma Asante-Poku. The rest are Dr. Richmond Atta-Ankomah and Dr. Daniel Adu Ankrah. For information about the project, please contact Dr. Agyei-Holmes at andy.agyeiholmes@gmail.com.
A section of participants
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