Dr. Andrew Agyei Holmes delivering a keynote address at the conference.
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) participated in the 12th Annual Stakeholders Conference of the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI), held in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme “Driving Africa’s Food Systems Transformation: Strategic Investments, Resilient Policies, and Global Partnerships.”
Dr. Andrew Agyei-Holmes, Senior Research Fellow and Principal Investigator of the ANAPRI research initiative at ISSER, delivered a session keynote presentation titled "Deep Dive Value Chain Analysis of Rice in Ghana," showcasing ISSER's work under the Policy Prioritisation through Value Chain Analysis (PPVC) framework. The PPVC project provides technical and analytical tools for understanding agricultural commodity sectors and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
During the panel discussion, Mr. Nana Osei-Bonsu of the Private Enterprise Federation (PEF) underscored that value chain improvements depend on policy consistency, access to patient capital, and strong leadership from the private sector. Mr. Opoku Agyemang from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) stressed that for research to gain traction, early and deliberate engagement of policymakers is essential.
The ISSER delegation also included Research Fellow Dr. Nana Amma Asante-Poku, Senior Lecturer Dr. Richard Kwabi Ayisi and Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Aba Eshun. Dr. Ayisi presented a paper on the economywide implications of climate action during a pre-conference session sponsored by the World Bank. ISSER remainsn a key ANAPRI member institution and previously hosted the 8th ANAPRI Annual Stakeholders Conference.
Reflecting on the conference, Dr. Agyei-Holmes said, "This conference offered a valuable opportunity to share ISSER's agricultural research with colleagues from across Africa, gain feedback, and learn from innovative work in other countries.” He added, “ANAPRI’s belief that evidence and collaboration are the twin engines of sustainable progress mirrors ISSER’s ethos, and we appreciate the network’s strong and continuous support, which enables institutions like ISSER to deliver high-quality research that informs Ghana’s agricultural policy and practice.”
Another notable highlight was ISSER’s innovative climate adaptation project, “Localization of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Ghana: The Case of Wa West and Ellembelle Districts,” featured as part of the Africa Agriculture Adaptation Atlas initiative. The project explores how Ghana’s national climate commitments can be translated into district-level action by using spatial data and policy tools to identify local vulnerabilities and prioritise investments. ISSER’s contribution supports the broader Atlas’s aim of making climate information more accessible and actionable for decision-makers across Africa.
The 12th ANAPRI Annual Stakeholders Conference, hosted by the Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN), took place from 4–6 November 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. It brought together researchers, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa and beyond to advance dialogue on strengthening agricultural systems through innovation, investment, and collaboration.
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