Participants in a group photo at the end of the workshop
The team of researchers of the Agricultural Policy Research in Africa (APRA) Ghana project invited agricultural sector partners and associated stakeholders to a national dissemination workshop held on 30th November at Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, Accra.
The aim of the workshop was to share findings of the five-year (March 2017 – May 2021) APRA project and discuss policy implications on how agricultural commercialisation can reduce rural poverty, empower women and girls, and improve food and nutrition security in Ghana.
Presentations
Prof. Joseph Yaro, APRA West Africa Hub Coordinator presented the overview of APRA research (highlighting APRA’s aims, overarching research question, work streams, APRA research in Ghana), following which Dr. Fred Dzanku, Ghana Country Lead Researcher and and Work Stream 1 Lead, gave a presentation on the topic “Achieving inclusive oil palm commercialization in Ghana”.
Prof. Kojo Amanor, Cocoa Value Chain Research (Work Stream 2) Lead then presented on “Long term change and agricultural commercialization in the Ghana cocoa sector”.
Mr. Kwasi Baah Ofori, Planation/Estate Manager of BOPP Plc (representing Mr. Samuel Avaala, National Executive Committee member, Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana, OPDAG), and Dr. Richard Asare, IITA Country Representative, as discussants, gave a ten-minute commentary each, respectively on oil palm commercialization and agricultural commercialization in the Ghana cocoa sector.
This was followed by a Q&A session, facilitated by APRA Ghana research team member Dr. Kofi Asante, which enabled open, frank and constructive dialogue and comment on the submissions of presenters and discussants.
Key presenters (l – r): Prof. Yaro, Dr. Dzanku, Prof. Amanor
Significance of the workshop
The national dissemination event is highly significant as it marked the culmination of the series of research activities and engagements with cocoa and oil palm producing communities undertaken by the researchers over the past five years.
By bringing together team leads alongside supporting researchers of APRA research in Ghana, and wide ranging stakeholders to dialogue and exchange ideas, the workshop was valuable in building on research insights and evidence, as well as boosting partnerships and support for the institutionalisation of agricultural commercialisation pathways in Ghana.
The event received coverage in respected print and online media. Selected online reports are below.
Graphic Online
B&FT (Business & Financial Times)
Ghanaweb
