Through the support of development partners and the Government of Ghana, the following research projects, programmes, and development activities are currently  being carried out by CSIR-STEPRI:

 1. ACHIEVING WIDER UPTAKE OF WATER-SMART SOLUTIONS (WIDER UPTAKE)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga

Participating Scientists: Dr. George O. Essegbey, Dr. Wilhemina Quaye, Dr. Ebenezer Ansa, Dr. William Oduro, Mrs Justina A. Onumah, Dr. Harris Andoh, Dr. Portia Adade-Williams, Mr. Abdalla Mahama and Mr. Ibrahim Asante

Start Date: 01.04.2020

Sponsors: European Commission (Horizon 2020)

Duration: 4 Years

Location: Accra-Ghana

Collaborating Institutions: CSIR-Water Research Institute, CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research, Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL), and 16 European Partners across four countries

Objective

The overall objective of WIDER UPTAKE is to facilitate industrial symbiosis by co-development of a roadmap towards wider uptake of water-smart solutions for wastewater reuse and resource recovery. This will be based on the principles of circular economy (CE) and be achieved through the following specific objectives:

Demonstrate innovative technical solutions that optimise water reuse, resource recovery and energy utilisation in selected industry settings by:

1. Running five demonstration case studies on innovative symbiotic solutions for wastewater reuse and resource recovery.
2. Developing and applying monitoring and control schemes to adequately manage the health and quality risks associated with reuse of treated wastewater and recovered resources .

iii.          Optimisation of the value chains to quantify the improved resource efficiency and economic.

Facilitate wider uptake of water-smart solutions through:

1. Governance assessment, design of innovative business models and identification of transition paths for industry – utility symbioses.
2. Evaluate water smartness and sustainability of the symbiotic CE solutions.

iii.          Network development and stakeholder dialogue around the key findings and their implications, including the establishment of a roadmap for implementation of water-smart solutions in an open access Virtual Learning and Sharing Centre.

Results Achieved so far Several activities have taken place within the period under review with some results as listed below:

• Conducted a stakeholder mapping of for the wider uptake of the treated wastewater and biochar produced by under the WIDER UPTAKE project through Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL). The stakeholder maps were then validated at of Community of Practice Workshop.
• Also, at the CoP Workshop to validate the stakeholder maps, the Triple-Layered Business Model Canvas was presented to and used to elicit information toward developing a business model for the wider uptake of the water-smart solutions that the project is demonstrating.
• Sensitisation meeting with selected SMEs to create awareness about the project and about the biochar to be distributed to them for trials—piloting use. Similarly, a meeting was held with farmers at the demonstration site to sensitize farmers about the piloting.
• One-day Community of Practice Scoping Workshop on assessing the quality and health risks of the water-smart solutions being piloted in the project was organised in Accra. The workshop was afforded an opportunity to throw more light on a monitoring and assessment tool developed under WP2 of the WIDER UPTAKE Project and to discuss the scope and parameters for collecting the data for monitoring.
• During the year under review, the project completed laying irrigation lines on farming beds at the demonstration site at CSIR-Water Research Institute. Following from that, the project commenced supply of water to the farmers to irrigate their vegetables.
• The Principal Investigators of the WIDER UPTAKE Project in Ghana (Dr. George Esssegbey, Dr. Wilhemina Quaye, Dr. Ebenezer O. Ansa, and Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga) participated  in the first in-person Consortium Meeting of the Project in Hamar, Norway.
• The project commenced the supply of biochar to selected SMEs for use as alternative to wood-based charcoal. This was followed by the project obtaining very valuable feedback for improving the production of the biochar.
• During the year under review, the project completed shooting footages and recordings to produce a video documentary.

Way Forward

The deliverables during the period under review were the commencement of the supply of treated wastewater to farmers for demonstration and the supply of biochar to selected SMEs. These were carried, although there were production challenges along the line due to technical difficulties at Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited. In addition, the key deliverables included organising CoP meetings. For the way forward, the following will be pursued:

• Continuous supply of biochar to selected SMEs and supply of treated wastewater to farmers to continue with the piloting.
• Analyse data collected with the triple-layered business model canvas (TLBMC) and develop a business model towards wider uptake of the water-smart solutions being piloted.
• Working with CSIR-Water Research Institute and CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research, collect of data (samples) for monitoring and, later, to assess the quality of the products as well as any associated risks.
• Organise a National Policy Dialogue on Resource recovery from wastewater.
• Produce video documentary about the project and the solutions.
• Media engagements about the project to sensitize the general public and to engender buy-in.

2. DEVELOPING A NATIONAL POLICY AND TECHNICAL REGULATION FOR AFLATOXIN CONTROL IN FOOD AND FEED

Principal Investigator: Dr. (Mrs.) Rose Omari

Participating Scientists: Dr. Emmanuel Kodjo Tetteh, Ms. Afua Bonsu Sarpong-Anane, Ransford Teng-viel Karbo, Ibrahim Kwame Asante, Dr. Abdulai Adams, Sylvia Baah-Tuahene

Introduction

Due to the detrimental effects of aflatoxins on food and nutrition security, health, and the economy, the African Union Commission has prioritised aflatoxins as a major food safety problem and has therefore established the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control (PACA) to help address the problem on the continent. With the help of PACA, ECOWAS developed its action plan for aflatoxin control, which was adopted by Ministers of Agriculture in 2015. ECOWAS Member states are accordingly required to adapt this action plan to their specific contexts and ensure its mainstreaming into existing policies and programmes. It is in this vein that a grant was sought from AGRA to develop a national policy that will spell out an action plan together with a technical regulation to ensure adequate enforcement of aflatoxins standards

Objective

The goal is to catalyse and sustain an inclusive agricultural transformation by reducing the prevalence and level of aflatoxin contamination in food and feed for smallholder farmers. The objective is to strengthen government multi-sectoral coordination and mutual accountability in the agricultural sector.

Methodology

The policy and technical regulations were developed through a number of processes including a situational analysis study, policy review, and stakeholder consultations.

Results Achieved so far

The Cabinet approved policy in December 2021 and the Decision letter was sent to all the four ministries (MESTI, MOFA, MOTI and MOH) that own the policy. Each of the four ministries had written letters informing their agencies and relevant institutions about the approval of the policy and the need for them to develop projects and programmes for its implementation. The aflatoxin policy is accessible here: https://library.faraafrica.org/2022/10/12/national-policy-for-aflatoxin-control-in-food-and-feed/

Following the approval of the policy, CSIR-STEPRI secured a project preparation grant (PPG) from the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to priorities the investment options in the policy using the Prioritising SPS Investment for Market Access (P-IMA) tool and then develop project proposals based on the prioritized actions. This has been done with the help of a P-IMA expert and national stakeholders. See here for more information about the PPG: https://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/TOR_PPG_786_Ghana_aflatoxin_P-IMA.pdf

Validation of the P-IMA report and launching the aflatoxin policy

A seated section of the dignitaries and the Minister displaying the National Aflatoxin Policy at the launch

Rank     Alternative         Score

1            Strengthen the capacity of value chain actors in pre-& post-harvest aflatoxin management for Market Access             71.43

2            Strengthening surveillance systems for the detection of aflatoxin-related diseases in humans, livestock and fish     58.93

3            Increase public awareness, advocacy, communication and demand for Aflatoxin-Safe food and feed 55.36

4            Institutional Strengthening to ensure successful implementation of the aflatoxin policy         32.14

5            Strengthening research and technology transfer on aflatoxin              32.14

Way Forward

Based on the prioritized actions, the National Steering Committee for Aflatoxin Control (NSCAC) will meet and select one or two of the investment options to prepare project proposals for funding. The first proposal will be submitted to the STDF project grant (PG) which is currently open until 24th February 2023. Other proposals will be developed and sent to other donors that will be identified.

3. DISTRIBUTIONAL IMPACTS OF INNOVATION SUPPORT FOR SME’S IN GHANA (DIISS-G) PROJECT

Principal Investigator: Dr. Wilhemina Quaye

Participating Scientists: Dr. Adelaide Agyeman (Co-PI), Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga (Co-PI), Dr. Mavis Akuffobea-Essilfie, Dr. Portia Adade Williams, Dr. Justina A. Onumah

Duration:  36 months (December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2024)

Sponsor:  International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada

Location:  National (Ghana)

Collaborating Institutions: National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI)

Background and Objective

The Government of Ghana, recognizing the importance of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in addressing youth unemployment and to advance economic and social policy goals, established the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) in 2017. The NEIP aims to enable entrepreneurs, empower innovation, and accelerate job creation for Ghana’s unemployed youth. This project investigates both the performance of this national program and its distributional impacts on men and women.

Using mix methods for data collection and analyses, the study adopts a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) approach to systematically examine how differences, such as sex, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age and mental or physical disability, affect NEIP outcomes. This approach will involve relevant groups (persons with disabilities, women, men, and youth) in the firm survey. This will enable our team to investigate the equity, diversity and inclusion impacts of the NEIP.

This project is funded through the 2020 open competition: Evidence for Innovation: Equity, diversity, inclusion, and impact analyses of innovation support programs for small and medium-size enterprises.

The project has the following objectives:

• Assess the performance and impacts of the NEIP from an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) perspective;
• Strengthen the capacities of project partners to assess innovation support programs and promote policy-learning for SME development;
• Characterize the SME ecosystem and identify strategies to enhance SME development; and
• Establish a community of practice to promote collaboration among institutions interested in EDI and innovation policy in Ghana.

Results Achieved so far

• Preparation and signing of MoU between CSIR-STEPRI and NEIP.
• Desk study to review national reports and grey literature on SMEs and innovation (in Ghana).
• Application for ethical clearance and obtaining approval for project implementation.
• Prepared instruments for data collection.
• Enhancing the Communication Capacity of the Project: During the period under review, the project purchased audio visual equipment to aid in capturing and communicating project events and outputs. In total two cameras (one camcorder and one still camera), lenses and accessories, tripod and bag, memory cards, extra batteries, zoom portable recorder were purchased.
• Commencement of Data Collection: The research team commenced data collection during the period under review to collect data from SMEs who are beneficiaries of NEIP’s Presidential Business Support.
• Data Management and Analyses: The research team began data management with data received from NEIP in respect of their beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. The research has had to clean and reorganise the data.
• Capacity Building (Trainings): Four trainings have been carried out in the project and during the period under review. The first was carried out to train the research team and collaborators on microdata and metadata management. The second training was conducted for enumerators recruited for fieldwork to collect quantitative data. The third training carried out during the period under review was a four-day capacity building training to enhance the capacities of the research team, project collaborators, as well as selected organisations that were deemed to work in the interest of SMEs in Ghana. This training was on policy/programme impact evaluation. The final training carried out during the period under review was on understanding and applying equity diversity and inclusion. Just as the training on impact evaluation, participants of this training included the project team members and selected organisations that provide various forms of support to, or interact with, SMEs in Ghana.

Training of enumerators for DIISS-G Data Collection

Way Forward

For the way forward, the following will be pursued:

• Continuation of quantitative data collection.
• Purchase data analyses and video editing software; complementary audio-visual equipment.
• Finalisation of Desk study report and systematic literature review.
• First Community of practice meeting/workshop.
• Design of qualitative data collection tools/guides and strategies.
• Qualitative data collection.
• Data management and analyses.
• Finalise and upload videos to YouTube.

4. ENHANCING FARMERS’ UPTAKE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES THROUGH EMPIRICAL RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND POLICY INTERVENTION (EFUDTRIPI)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Rose Omari

Participating Scientists: Dr Godfred Frempong, Dr. Portia Adade-Williams, Dr. Simeon Salakpi (formerly of MOFA E-Agriculture), Fati Saaka, Abdalla Mahama, Rankine Asabo, Jumpah, Emmanuel

Sponsor: EC through ICIPE

Duration: 2 years

About this project

EFUDTRIPI project is one of the ten third party projects being implemented under the Accelerating Inclusive Green growth through Agri-based Digital Innovation in West Africa (AGriDI) project.

Several firms in Ghana are using ICT to provide services in the agricultural sector in the form of extension information, data capture, market linkages, financial and traceability services. The concept of innovation hubs and contests has created opportunities for the youth to get involved in the development of digital applications through which these services are provided. The major challenges, however, include low adoption of the technologies by the targets, limited incentives for improving service delivery, limited resources to effectively scale-out, poor internet connectivity in some farming communities, and unwillingness of farmers to pay for the services. Policies are thus needed to support deployment, uptake and scaling up of ICT4Ag services among farmers.

The overall objective is to strengthen policies to enhance farmers’ access and uptake of good quality and secure digital solutions.

Methodology

o            Survey, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with farmers to generate scientific evidence on farmers’ usage of digital technologies.

o            Ethnography (participant observation) to generate scientific evidence on the quality and security of digital products and services accessible to farmers.

o            Policy review and analysis to identify policy gaps

o            Workshops and policy dialogues with policymakers and digital solution developers/providers to co-create technological & policy recommendations.

Results Achieved

o            Kickoff workshop held in Benin in March 2022 and all project requirements including appropriate technical and financial reporting are now clearer to the project team.

o            Ethical approval protocol submitted to the CSIR Institutional Review Board and approval granted (Approval number: RPN014/CSIR-IRB/2022).

o            Project information flyer prepared.

o            Project launched at a workshop with stakeholders on 8th July 2022.

o            Key stakeholders mapping conducted.

o            Participation in gender training organised by Dr. Holger Kirscht on 25th July. The insights gained from this training were integrated in the research instruments.

o            CSIR-STEPRI in collaboration with the two Ghana-based third-party projects under AGRIDI (including ESOKO and Agrocenta) planned and participated in FARA’s Second Continental Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) Conference on 15 September 2022.

o            All project partners participated in the Annual Implementers Forum with the AGriDi team to discuss project implementation progress in Kumasi, Ghana from 28th November – 3rd December 2022.

o            Survey instruments have been prepared, pre-tested and research team and enumerators trained in digital terminologies.

Way Forward

Data collection will be done in the first and second quarter of 2023 and the data will be analyzed and the reports written. Other activities mainly stakeholder and policy engagements will be carried out after the survey findings have been compiled. Manuscripts will also be prepared for publication including policy briefs. Some dissemination activities will also be done.     

5. HYBRID WASTE TO ENERGY AS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR GHANA

Principal Investigator: Dr. (Mrs.) Wilhemina Quaye

Participating Scientists: Dr Portia Adade Williams, Mr Roland Asare, Mr Abdallah Mahama, Ms Marilyn Yeboah, Mr Johnny Owusu Arthur, Ms Elizabeth Hagan and Mr Rankine Asabo.

Duration: 4 years (01.01.2020 – 31.12.2023)

Source of Funding & Amount: The Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany (BMBF),

Location: Gyankobaa-Nkawie, Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality

Collaborating Institutions: University of Rostock, Germany; German Biomass Research Centre gGmbH; SRH Berlin; Gicon GmbH, Germany; West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL); CSIR- The Institute of Industrial Research (IIR); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR); Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI)/GIRC CENTRE; Kumasi Technical University (KsTU); The Centre for Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Development (CEESD).

About the project

An attractive option to solve not only waste management challenges but other problems from inappropriate waste disposal such as limited space for landfills, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and shortages in power generation is the Waste to Energy (WtE) technology. Hybrid Waste to Energy as a Sustainable Solution for Ghana (W2E) Project (a 4-year project launched in January 2020 with funding support from the Government of Germany) seeks to develop tailor-made solutions to tackle the problem of waste management as well as power management in Ghana by converting waste into useful energy. To demonstrate a proper functional model, a pilot of 400 kW hybrid demonstration systems has been installed at Gyankobaah in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. 

Objective

The W2E project is expected to improve sanitation, ensure technology transfer, clean the environment (treated waste and drastic reduction of waste in the communities), produce sustainable energy and organic fertilizer, create employment opportunities, and increase the renewable component in the energy mix in Ghana.

Methodology

Since different partners have different roles that are complementary, CSIR-STEPRI’s activities aim to identify gaps and policy concerns that need to be addressed as well as identify key strategic actors for policy influence, particularly at community level. CSIR-STEPRI is involved in activities such as stakeholder consultations and community mobilization to ensure successful project implementation. The overall implementation of the project is based on five main work packages and CSIR-STEPRI works closely and lead in the following Work Packages (WP):

• W.P 1.1 Community Engagement
• W.P 5.1.1 Actors and stakeholders’ identification
• W.P 5.1.2 Stakeholders engagement
• W.P 5.2.1 Waste management policy review studies
• W.P 5.3.2 Policy brief/guideline document

In 2022, there was no activity related to community engagement, stakeholders’ engagement, and waste management policy review studies as all deliverables under these work packages have been completed.  

Results Achieved so far

Policy guideline document: As part of the project implementation and in line with work stream activities, CSIR-STEPRI is to develop a comprehensive policy guideline that will serve as a blueprint for various ministries and agencies for waste to energy project initiatives. As a result, two technical committee meetings with selected experts were held to assist CSIR-STEPRI in the reviewing and writing up of all the technical aspects related to the development of the waste to energy policy guidelines. The in-person meetings were held on Thursday, 24th March, 2022, and 17th May 2022 at the Dr. Godfred Frempong Conference Room, CSIR-STEPRI. Outcomes from the meetings are:

• Provision of strategic direction for the technical component of the waste to energy policy guidelines development.
• Provision of technical inputs and suggestions on areas such as composition of waste, emergency preparedness and response actions, resource mapping among others for establishing a waste to energy facility as well as provide operational guidelines for a waste to energy facility in Ghana.
• Consequently, CSIR-STEPRI has developed a comprehensive drafpolicy guideline under the waste to energy project initiative. The draft guideline was presented in a validation and dissemination workshop at the local level to officers at the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal Assembly. This was held on 24th November 2022 at the District Assembly.

Policy Brief/Guideline Document: A third policy brief under the Waste to Energy project has been developed. Title for the third policy brief is “Scaling up the conversion of waste to energy in Ghana: what are the guidelines?” The policy brief was completed in December 2022 and is more focused at suggesting sustainable futures for the waste and energy sectors of Ghana after the project period. Thus, it outlines the requirements for the establishment of a waste to energy facility in Ghana and its potential role in an integrated waste management system.

Project Technical Meeting: Two project members from CSIR-STEPRI participated in an all-partners technical meeting on 22nd February 2022 at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UNER), Sunyani where presentations on the policy brief and work progress were made by CSIR-STEPRI.

Four project members from CSIR-STEPRI also participated in the official commissioning of the Hybrid Waste to Energy plant held at the project site in Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality on 26th April 2022 where the team from CSIR-STEPRI presented a poster on its activities.

Two project members from CSIR-STEPRI participated in an all-partners technical meeting on 16th August 2022 at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), Kumasi where presentations on the policy brief and work progress were made by CSIR-STEPRI. The project partners also visited the W2E project site at Nkawie to monitor progress of work.

A project member from CSIR-STEPRI joined other six local partners to participate in an all-partners visit and technical meetings from 12th – 16th December 2022 in Germany. The project partners first visited University of Rostock and the Mayor of Kaslow on renewable energy familiarisation tour. Other institutions visited included GICON in Cottbus, Global Enertec and LIW Lausitzer, both in Guben and finally a trip to DBFZ in Leipzig where the technical meeting was held. Presentations on partners work progress were made by all partners including CSIR-STEPRI.  

Way Forward

With a complete draft of the policy guidelines available, a series of validation/dissemination workshops will be held in 2023 for general feedback from diverse stakeholders as part of the development process. After the validation and dissemination workshops, the guidelines will be finalized; and copies will be submitted to four relevant ministries (Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources) for adoption.

6. LONG-TERM EUROPEAN-AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP FOR FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (LEAP4FNSSA)

Principal Investigators: Dr. George Essegbey, Dr. Rose Omari

Participating Scientists: Ibrahim Asante, Sylvia Baah-Tuahene, Fati Saaka

Duration:  4 years from 1st Nov 2018

Sponsor:  European Commission

Budget: €105,525 (For STEPRI)

Location:  Africa and Europe

Collaborating Institutions: 20 European Partners (From 14 Countries); 15 African Partners (From 8 Countries)

About this Project

LEAP4FNSSA is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) that aims at establishing a Europe-Africa International Research Consortium (IRC). The IRC will provide a tool for all European and African institutions ready to engage in a sustainable partnership platform for research and innovation on Food and Nutrition Security as well as Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)

Objective

To establish a sustainable structure, or ‘Platform’, for the efficient and coherent implementation of the AU-EU Research and Innovation Partnership as described in the FNSSA Roadmap.

LEAP4FNSSA is being implemented through 5 work packages. STEPRI is co-leading the WP2 with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). WP2 will improve the effectiveness of the AU-EU FNSSA Partnership by contributing to the creation of strategic FNSSA Alliances in R&I, as part of the envisaged multi-actor Platform based on the HLPD FNSSA Roadmap of 2016 to jointly plan and implement research. The aim of this strategy will be to improve coordination and launch collaborative actions, in particular, set up support mechanisms (including funding mechanism) for fostering the proposed FNSSA Platform to which the design and testing of an Africa-Europe Knowledge Management and Communication Framework (KMCF) is key. CSIR-STEPRI is also a member of the project steering committee and thus participates in the monthly meetings as well as supporting other work packages.

Results Achieved in 2022

Initiating the West Africa-Europe Alliance

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the consortium partners have slightly modified the original work plan. They have introduced ‘hybrid workshops’ where all the Tasks are contributing in various ways. As part of the process for establishing the West Africa-EU Alliances, WP2 has constituted 3 working groups (WGs): (i)WG 1 – Theory of Change and Impact Pathways; (ii) WG 2 – Communication concept; and (iii) WG 3 – Data & Knowledge Management. The initial membership of the WGs comprises sub regional organisations (i.e., CORAF, ECOWAS, WASCAL, and CILSS). A series of virtual workshops have been held on (1) Theory of Change and Impact Pathways, (2) Communication Concept for the Sorting House Mechanism (SHM) for the West Africa-EU Alliance (WAEA) and Data & Knowledge Management.

Initiating the North Africa-Europe Alliance

Mirroring the process being used for the WAEA, the North Africa-EU Alliance (NAEA) has been initiated and eight workshops organised with stakeholders from research, funding, academic and private sector to identify major issues in the subregions, identify stakeholders to join the working groups, identify working group leaders, and jointly work on documents on the AFRIS platform.

Complementary strategy

Due to the slow pace at which working group members are working to jointly develop the relevant documents, a survey has been developed to gather information from a wider segment of stakeholders to feed into the documents. A survey was launched, data collected and analysed. The survey results were fed into the theory of change and impact pathway of the International Research Consortium.

Workshop on Upscaling private sector participation and science-based outreach in West Africa

This hybrid workshop was held on 22 and 23 June 2022 and was jointly organised by GO AFRICA (Germany), KEF (Egypt), and CSIR-STEPRI (Ghana). The workshops attracted more than 200 stakeholders, with 231 registered participants from the following 27 African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauretania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Registered European participants were from the following countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal Spain as well as United Kingdom and Kosovo. Over two days the participants discussed how to increase private sector participation in research and innovation and mechanisms and impact of science-based outreach. The outcomes of the workshop were presented by CSIR-STEPRI the LEAP4FNSSA IRC Stakeholder Engagement Workshop held in Brussels, Belgium on 13 July 2022.

Based on the contributions by farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, funders and policy actors, the following conclusions were drawn from the workshop:

• It is important to establish and strengthen farmer groups or clusters at the continental, multi-country, national, and local levels to help optimize value chains, increase access to finance and reduce the costs and risks of service delivery.
• Alternative & long-term sustainable co-funding arrangements for innovative, demand-driven & development-oriented research is needed. Industrial topics such as packaging should be addressed to allow for upscaling.
• Need for a platform that brings together all actors for the identification of new opportunities and challenges and jointly finding solutions & best practices.
• Research institutions should make themselves approachable and not be private-sector competitors e.g. by including some industry players in their committees.
• Private sector is looking for institutionalized partnerships and will co-fund but have also access to the project’s funds and participate in project implementation.
• Multidisciplinary approaches must be coordinated to result in evidence-based policy analysis supporting food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture.

Strategies and mechanisms for successful science-based outreach on FNSSA

• Reinforcing capacity building on communication, policy advice and impact analysis. Scientists must be engaged to go into communication, to formulate articles, radio broadcasts and to engage with media and policy makers.
• Intra-Africa partnerships as well as African and European capacity building programmes and partnerships between universities, including exchange opportunities to be enhanced. Strategic partnerships needed with research institutions, private sector, NGOs, professional bodies etc. to facilitate communication.
• New technologies and information systems to be used to accelerate science-based outreach for the translation of research results into practice and to enhance policies. Multiple communication approaches required e.g. D-groups.
• There is a need to address the poor communication skills of researchers and challenges of translation into various languages.
• Continuous interactions with farmers and end-users is necessary to ensure they are part of their research right from the beginning to the end.
• Need for a communication audit where feedback is obtained from end-users of research output to measure the rate of response & impact.
• Researchers must communicate the returns on investment in RI to inform policymakers and other stakeholders about the benefits of investing in research.

Establishment and launch the International Research Consortium (IRC) on FNSSA

The overall objective of the LEAP4FNSSA project is to establish a sustainable structure, or ‘Platform’ for the efficient and coherent implementation of the AU-EU Research and Innovation Partnership as described in the FNSSA Roadmap. Thus, the platform dubbed International Research Consortium (IRC) for research and innovation on FNSSA was established and launched in Accra on 16th September 2022 with 50 founding members including CSIR-STEPRI. Before the launch there was a write-shop on 14th -15th  September to finalise a guidance document for the IRC. More information can be found about the IRC here: https://leap4fnssa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Updated-2-pager-4-information.pdf

Way Forward

The project officially ended on 31st October 2022. However, to help operationalize the IRC, the European Commission (EC) has launched a new Call for proposal “HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-18: Support for the implementation of a sustainable platform for the EU-African Union cooperation under the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership”. A consortium has been formed to respond to the Call and CSIR-STEPRI is one of the partners. The deadline for the proposal submission is 12th April 2023.

8. MODERNISING AGRICULTURE IN GHANA (MAG)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Justina Adwoa Onumah

Participating Scientists: Mr. Abubakari Mohammed, Mr. Jeffet Ekow Cobbah, Ms Marilyn Yeboah, and Dr. (Mrs.) Wilhemina Quaye

Sponsor:  Government of Canada

Collaborating Institution: All CSIR Institutes

About the Project

The Modernisation of Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) Project gives budgetary support and technical assistance in response to the objectives of Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP), The Medium-Term Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP) and Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda GSGDA) addressing productivity and value chain management issues for increased farmer incomes and enhanced rural livelihoods. One of the interventions by the Government of Ghana to bridge the gender gap in agriculture is to improve adoption of technologies under the Modernization of Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) project. MAG focuses on demand driven research and alternative methods of extension delivery that facilitate the dissemination of technologies to farm households, Farmer Based Organisations (FBOs), out-growers of nucleus farms, among others. Under the component 3 of the project, which seeks to support agricultural research in order to strengthen agricultural extension services and improve agricultural productivity, production needs and demands of smallholder farmers are identified for tailor-made technologies and innovation development and transfer.

Methodology

For the research study conducted in 2022 under the MAG project, a purely exploratory qualitative approach was employed. This was to allow an in-depth interrogation of the status and impact of the MAG project among beneficiary farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The main data collection approaches used were focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with the aid of an interview guide. Data was collected from 13 focus groups and 7 key informants from the study area. Results were analysed using thematic analysis and presented in text, figures, and word clouds. Verbatim quotes were also used to support the findings.

Key Activities Undertaken

• The year under review saw the implementation of three key project activities as follows
  • 3rd and 4th Quarter
    • Publication of article in FARA Research Report
    • Data collection and analysis on the status of MAG in Eastern region
  • 1st and 2nd Quarter
    • Systematic review and research writing training

Results Achieved

Organisation of a writing workshop

A two-day writing workshop was organised for the MAG project team members and other early career staff and national service personnel in the CSIR-STEPRI. The purpose of the workshop was to build capacity of the team and other early career staff in scientific writing and conducting systematic literature review for publication purposes. Dr Portia Adade Williams and Dr Justina A. Onumah led the training. While Dr Onumah presented on “Writing tools and techniques”, Dr Williams led the training on “conducting a systematic literature review.” As the first day focused on training in these modules, Day 2 focused on developing manuscript working papers from previously conducted survey on adoption and impact of disseminated technologies among cassava producers. Participants requested for more of such training to build their capacities further.

Data collection, analysis, and technical report writing on the assessment of MAG activities among women beneficiaries in the Eastern region.

This study was conducted in the Eastern region of Ghana to assess the performance of the MAG programme on women beneficiaries and propose ways of sustaining the intervention. In terms of the programme outcome, women’s economic empowerment has been boosted as their farm incomes have increased due to the yield increases from adopting the improved technologies disseminated. Fulfilment of community obligation, providing support to their husbands and children’s educational needs, and becoming independent were some of the key social benefits reported by the women.

 These social and economic outcome goes to prove that the programme has had good impact on the women beneficiaries in the selected districts studied.

Way Forward

The project is not likely to continue as its duration has elapsed. The team will therefore focus on producing knowledge materials, including policy briefs and journal articles as a dissemination and outreach strategy.

9. PARI NUTRITION AND AGROECOLOGY PROJECTS UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF WOMEN’S TIME-USE ON HOUSEHOLD NUTRITION IN GHANA.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Rose Omari

Participating Scientists: Crystal Bubune Letsa, Sylvia Baah-Tuahene, Johnny Owusu-Arthur, Marilyn Yeboah

Sponsor: German Government through ZEF

Duration: 1 year

Coordinating Institutions: Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn Germany, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

Background and Objective

CSIR-STEPRI has been participating in the Programme for Accompanying Research and Innovation (PARI) for African Agriculture since 2015. The programme is coordinated by the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn in Germany and Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). Different areas including digitalization, innovation platforms, value chain analysis and employment potentials of food processing sector have been covered over the years. This year, CSIR-STEPRI is focusing on nutrition and agroecology.

The nutrition research focuses on women traders and farmers to assess their usage of time and whether and how it influences their nutritional status including their dietary diversity score as well as those of their household and children (6-23 months). The study seeks to identify how household nutrition outcomes are impacted by the time spent in various activities by women farmers in Techiman as well as women food and non-food traders on market days and non-market days in Accra and Techiman. The effects of other socioeconomic variables will also be examined. Among others, the research will assess (1) whether women’s time spent in home production correlates with household nutrition outcomes, (2) whether the time spent on various activities on market days and non-market days affect women and household (child) nutrition differently, (3) whether the type of occupation, type of products traded (food versus non-food products), affect women’s and household nutrition differently, (4) whether some factors may help mitigate any possible negative impact of women’s time use on nutrition.

The research is expected to provide insights into whether and which interventions may influence women’s time use and time allocated to child and household food provision and nutritional needs. As an outcome, the study will provide strategies for improving nutritional status of women of reproductive age as well as members of their households.

Methodology

The study adopts a cross-sectional quantitative approach for gathering data. Secondary data will also be gathered, and sources include:

• Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (2014)
• Ghana Maternal Health Survey (2017)
• Multiple indicator cluster survey (2017/2018
• Nutrition Landscape Information System (NLiS) https://apps.who.int/nutrition/landscape/report.aspx?iso=GHA&rid=1620 )
• Employment data: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.EMP.WORK.FE.ZS?locations=GH
• Global nutrition report – Country profile: https://globalnutritionreport.org/resources/nutrition-profiles/africa/western-africa/ghana/
• Ghana Time Use Survey of 2009.

The study focuses on women traders and farmers with women of reproductive age (15-45 years) forming about 70% of the sample.

Nutrition questionnaire pretesting in the NIMA market by members of the project team

Results Achieved

All the initial preparations including design of the research, presentation of the proposed research to expert researchers in Ghana and ZEF in Germany through a brown bag seminar, application for ethical approval (which has been granted), procurement of research tools (weighing scales and stadiometer), training of enumerators, and pretesting of questionnaire.

Way Forward

Data collection will be done in the first quarter of 2023 and the data will be analyzed and the reports written. Manuscripts will also be prepared for publication including policy briefs. Some dissemination activities will also be done.

Engagement with women’s group as part of the all-partners Annual Implementers Forum with the AGriDi team from 28th November – 3rd December 2022, in Kumasi, Ghana.

10. RESILIENCE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE: SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION RESEARCH- SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION RESEARCH (REACH-STR) PROJECT

Principal Investigator: Dr Adelaide Agyeman

Participating Scientists: Dr Portia Adade Williams, Dr. Wilhemina Quaye, Dr Godfred Frempong, Mr. Abdalla Mahama and Ms Marilyn Yeboah 

Duration: 6years  

Source of funding: European Union-International Water Management Institute (IWMMI)

Location: Northern Ghana (Selected Districts)

Collaborating Institutions: International Water Management Institute (IWMMI); Simon Diedong Dombo-University of Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), University of Ghana (UG) – Centre for Migration Studies 

About the Project

There exist different kinds of social, economic, cultural, environmental, institutional, and political intersections that may increase vulnerabilities and impede sustainable and equitable rural transformations. To date, many of the policy and development planning responses to these challenges have been inefficient and/or insufficient and calls for effective planning and implementation of strategies. REACH STR project is about promotion of more inclusive and sustainable economic growth policies, strategies and programming approaches based on climate resilience, migration and gender in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Objective

CSIR-STEPRI’s task on the REACH STR project is to analyse ways in which policy issues have addressed migration, gender, climate change and social transformation. Activities to be implemented under WP4 of the project include the development of guidelines and tools to help local, regional, and national decision-makers and practitioners implement social transformation approaches in their plans, programmes, and strategies.

Methodology

CSIR-STEPRI’s work is tied to policy analysis using standardized policy frameworks to analyse how policy issues have addressed migration, gender, climate change and social transformation. CSIR-STEPRI contributes to Work Package (WP) 1 on policy reviews and leads WP4 on Practical Policy Recommendations (involves development of tools and materials that inform decision making and development processes; organize research dialogue and dissemination workshops; and synthesize recommendations for policy engagement and influence).    

Results Achieved in 2022

Analysis and completion of qualitative policy baseline study report from 7 districts: A qualitative policy study was conducted to assess the extent of social dimensions on climate change resilience, gender equity and migration in the implementation of planning programmes/projects and processes in the Savannah and Upper West Regions of Ghana. Results from the study showed that the level at which climate change, gender and migration issues are mainstreamed into national, district and community levels development interventions are ill-defined. Although, there exist opportunities for enhanced mainstreaming of social transformation issues into policy frameworks as evidence for positive outcomes. Further, this study highlights the critical role of institutions at the local (district), regional and national levels in programme implementation processes.

Organization of validation and dissemination workshop in Upper West Region: A validation and dissemination workshop was held by CSIR-STEPRI in Wa on 4th October 2022 aimed at validating findings of social transformation in climate adaptation planning and policy process with implications for gender, youth, and migration. The workshop was attended by about 57 in-person participants, including the Municipal/District Coordinating Directors from the study municipalities/districts as well as selected traditional authorities, women and youth groups, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and project partners. 

Organization of Pre COP 27 meeting: CSIR-STEPRI hosted a Pre-Conference of Parties (COP) meeting, in partnership with the project coordinating institution, IWMI and with support from the other partners and the Ministry for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This was held on 28th October 2022 ahead of the COP 27. There were 47 participants in attendance from various research institutes, academia, government ministries and agencies, civil society organizations, media as well as the private sector.

Development of a communique: The pre – 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 27) event held in Accra, Ghana was under the theme “Building resilience against climate change through effective adaptation planning and actions: Ghana’s progress ahead of COP 27”.  Subsequent to the event, a communique was developed.  The communique from the Pre-COP meeting was submitted to the secretariat of Ghana’s delegation going to Egypt for COP 27. Succeeding Ghana’s COP 27 participation in Egypt, CSIR-STEPRI will be following up on outcomes from the communique submitted to the Ghanaian delegation to COP and explore opportunities for further engagements.

Participation in internal project meetings and partners review meetings: A number of project team meetings, locally, bilaterally and as partners (PMTs) were held to discuss the project’s progress and to plan the project activities and the way forward. These included meetings to review progress in activities and discuss any challenges partners experienced or envisaged in the project implementation.

 Way Forward

CSIR-STEPRI is expected to build key recommendations for policies by synthesizing research findings. As a result, our outlined specific outputs, and activities for 2023 will direct achievement of CSIR-STEPRI’s deliverables including uptake of research evidence for policy decisions and mainstreaming of research findings after the development of the knowledge products from the policy study. This will further simulate wider public discourse and deliberation on social transformation.  Specific activities will include:

• Development of knowledge products such as policy briefs; policy insight paper and journal article publication
• Organization of national validation and dissemination workshops
• Policy and media engagements

11. STRENGTHENING STI SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Principal Investigator: Dr (Mrs) Wilhemina Quaye

Participating Scientists: Dr. George Owusu Essegbey, Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga, Dr. Adelaide Agyeman, Nana Yamoah Asafu-Adjaye, Dr. Nana Kofi Safo, Dr. Selorm Ayeduvor, Roland Asare and Crystal Bubune Letsa.

Duration: 2 years

Sponsors: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)  SIDA through The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)  

About the Project

Within UNESCO’s global framework for monitoring, policy support and advocacy for the UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR), the project “Strengthening STI systems for Sustainable Development in Africa” aims to ensure that governments and national science institutions in six African pilot countries (Congo, Ghana, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) are taking measures to strengthen their national and regional STI policies, governance of STI, and institutions in research and innovation in accordance with the RS|SR. Under this Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funded project, UNESCO is assisting the Government of Ghana, notably through the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-STEPRI) to undertake and implement activities related to the SIDA project.

Objectives

1. Draft country-specific policy briefs on STI systems, including guidance for developing inclusive and gender-equal STI policy frameworks. In accordance with the RSSR, this is based on themes/key areas that had been identified as gaps/needs where policy guidance is required.
2. Develop a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) process and methodology tailored to the requirements of the RS|SR and GO-SPIN indicators; taking full account of national circumstances, needs and priorities (referencing the country’s STI4SDGs roadmap and needs assessment report).
3. Organise capacity-building activities to transfer technical expertise on the monitoring framework to the government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure their contribution to the monitoring process for the implementation of the 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR) in Ghana.

Results Achieved

The Knowledge Products finalized derived from the project include:

• Ghana’s science, technology and innovation (STI) system in the context of the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers: baseline report

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000382916.locale=en

• Science, technology and innovation (STI) ecosystem in Ghana

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000382917.locale=en

• Capacity and needs assessment of Ghana’s science, technology and innovation (STI) system for the implementation of the 2017 UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383143.locale=en

The project has also developed five policy briefs. They are as follows:

• Policy brief 1: guidance for developing an inclusive and gender-equal STI policy

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383084.locale=en

• Policy brief 2: Strengthening national STI policies and governance in accordance with the UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR)

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383088.locale=en

• Policy brief 3: the role of policymaking organisations in implementing the UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR)

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383089.locale=en

• Policy brief 4: STI human resource development: options for effective strategies and policy implementation

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383091.locale=en

• Policy brief 5: STI capacity building in Ghana: the urgent need for research infrastructure

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000383092.locale=en

Way forward for the Project in 2023

The project team at CSIR-STEPRI and the Consultative Group (CG) members of the project have developed the National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. This would be used to Organise capacity-building activities to transfer technical expertise on the monitoring framework to the government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure their contribution to the monitoring process for the implementation of the 2017 Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (RS|SR) in Ghana.

11. SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION OF KEY FARMING SYSTEMS IN THE SUDANO-SAHELIAN ZONE OF WEST AFRICA (AFRICA RISING) 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw

Participating Scientists: Emmanuel Tetteh Jumpah and Nana Yamoah Asafu-Ajaye.

Start Date: 12th June 2017.

Sponsors: USAID

Duration: Four Years, (Extended by Six Months, 1st January-31st July 2022)

Location: Selected Communities in Northern Ghana

About this project

The Africa RISING project is a key pathway towards better food security, improved livelihoods, and a healthy environment. Various technologies have been developed and validated by Africa RISING and STEPRI has been part of this effort. STEPRI has been involved in the implementation of activities that contribute mainly to Outcomes 3 and 4. So far, work has been done to analyze farmers’ access to input and output markets, delivery pathways for SI technologies and the role of government extension services, review of agricultural mechanization policy ordinances in Ghana, and simulation analysis on SI technology adoption. This project was a wrap-up effort to ensure that work that was started in 2019 and represented in the form of Policy Briefs using the available past reports from STEPRI which will go a long way to address policy-related needs to enforce the work.

Results Achieved

Six policy briefs and four fact sheets were developed and printed for community dialogues and stakeholder engagements in the Northern regions (Tamale, Navrongo, and Wa) as well as in Greater Accra.  Dissemination exercises for field work involved workshops with farmers, policymakers, CSOs, and other relevant stakeholders. There were Agricultural Extension Agents and Community mobilizers in the region of Upper West, Upper East, and Northern regions who were assigned to coordinate farmers’ mobility from communities to regional dissemination workshops held in Wa, Bolgatanga, and Tamale. In addition, there is a draft paper on gender and technology adoption. The main objective is to identify factors that influence male and female SIPs adoption decisions, separately.

Project Achievements and Impacts

The team assembled the previous reports of the Africa RISING Project from 2019 to 2021 which were used for the policy dialogues and dissemination exercises at selected locations with relevant stakeholders. These policy dialogues and dissemination activities are aimed to popularize the outcomes of the project and promote SIPS adoption among farmers and gain support from policymakers. The policy briefs are designed in recognition of the objectives of the current project. The title of the policy briefs was as follows;

1. Effective Delivery of Farm Services as a way of addressing dis-adoption and discontinuous use of Sustainable Intensification Practices in Northern Ghana.
2. What Factors Influence Adoption of Sustainable Intensification Practices?
3. Resolving the Market Challenges of Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ghana
4. Sustainable Extension Delivery Pathway.
5. Understanding Sustainable Intensification Policy Gaps in Ghana’s Agricultural Development.
6. Agricultural Mechanization Policy Gaps in Ghana.

The title of the fact sheets was as follows;

• Enhancing Adoption and Utilization of Agricultural Mechanization for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Northern Ghana.
• To Get a Better Understanding of How Output Markets in Their Various Forms Work Out in Northern Ghana.
• To Get a Better Understanding of How Input Markets in Their Various Forms Work Out.
• Benefits of Adopting Sustainable Intensification Practices.

This project is partnering with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) via their available knowledge management platform (FARA’s DataInformS). The platform will be used to disseminate widely policy briefs and fact sheets. to inform different stakeholders about lessons learned from the intervention.   

Dissemination workshop with extension officers in Northern Ghana

The way forward

After almost 12 years, the Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) Program supported by the United States Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative is ending. There was a closeout event from 7 – 9 February 2023 in Alisa Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

During the meeting, which brought  together stakeholders from the three regional projects presented:

• Present and critically assess our research and development results; and
• Harness critical lessons for future agricultural systems research for development.

12.  WOMEN IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND CAREERS IN BENIN AND GHANA (WEEC-BG)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Rose Omari

Participating Scientists: Dr E.K. Tetteh, Dr Gordon Ackon Yamga, Mavis Akuffobea Essilfie, Sylvia Baah-Tuahene, Afua Sarpong-Anane, Elizabeth Hagan. Dr Harris Andoh.

Start Date: 01.01.2020

Sponsors: IDRC

Duration: 3 Years

Location: Ghana and Benin

Objective

To contribute to bridging the gender gap in engineering in Ghana and Bénin through original research and policy recommendations.

Methodology

This study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analyses. The qualitative data were solicited through focus group discussions, and in-depth and key informant interviews. Both methods were used to take advantage of the strengths inherent in both approaches to increase the validity and accuracy of the data collected. The respondents were students, deans and provosts, engineering professionals and social networks (e.g. advocates, and parents). This data enabled us to identify systemic barriers to STEM education in general and engineering education and career specifically. The following were conducted:

• Student’s Survey involving 911 KNSUT female and male college of engineering, college of science, college of health sciences students,
• Interview with Engineering Professionals comprising three types of engineering professionals (1) engineering lecturers at KNUST, (2) Engineers who are members of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), and (3) Engineering graduates/professionals identified through the snowball technique.
• In-depth interviews with key informants were done to have a better understanding of the key findings. The persons interviewed were the Provost of KNUST College of Engineering, Provost of KNUST College of Science, the quality control unit which handles statistics data of KNUST, President of Women in Engineering Unit of GhIE, Science Education Unit Director at Ghana Education Services, and some parents whose contacts were obtained from students who participated in the focus groups discussions.
• Review of Secondary data. This includes:

o            Students’ applicants, admission, enrolment, and graduation data disaggregated by gender, colleges, and programs of study.

o            Employment status of graduates of the studied college of engineering, per gender – 1980 – 2020.

o            Policies, programs, regulations, and norms relevant to education, employment, gender, and STEM.

The documents were obtained from different sources including websites and statistical departments and databases of institutions under study.

Results Achieved

• Production of quarterly Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Insights Newsletter that serves as an advocacy tool for increased support for women’s participation in STEM. In total four issues of the newsletters were produced. They are accessible in the links below:

o            https://csir-stepri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wise-Insight-Africa-Vol-1-No-3.pdf

o            https://csir-stepri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wise-Insight-V1-No-4-Final.pdf  

o              https://sites.google.com/view/wiseinsightsafrica/newsletters/april-2020?authuser=0 

o            https://sites.google.com/view/wiseinsightsafrica/newsletters/june-2020?authuser=0

• A technical report has been prepared showing all the key findings amd the report submitted to IDRC.
• A fact sheet has been produced highlighting the key findings which include:

o            At KNUST, undergraduate enrolment in three STEM Colleges, namely College of Engineering (CoE), College of Health Sciences (CHS) and College of Science (CoS) has increased by 12 times from 1,953 in 2003/04 to 24,632 in 2019/2020 academic years.

o            Similarly, female enrolment in CHS, CoS and CoE has increased from 42.4%, 26.3% and 12.2%, respectively to 57.1%, 35.9%, and 18.1% over the same period

o            Relatively good progress has been made in closing the gender gap in STEM but a lot more efforts are needed for better impacts especially in engineering, which is lagging.

o            Gender disparity exists within programmes in the three colleges with female enrolment highest in health, food and life science-related programmes.

o            The gender gap is even wider at the professional level based on membership of GhIE although the proportion of women has increased from 0.2% in 1988 to 9% in 2022.

• The major barriers to female participation in engineering have been classified as

o            Barriers related to pre-university education, applications & admissions systems/processes e.g. inadequate capacity to admit all qualified applicants, inadequate career guidance at Basic and High schools, limited knowledge about various engineering programs and their job prospects at the time of application.

o            Barriers related to societal influence e.g. inadequate exposure of girls to invention-related stories/games, limited engineering role models in most communities and Misleading information about engineering.

o            Barriers related to teaching and learning in the university e.g. Limited practical work, outmoded curriculum, limited affordable accommodation on campus, practical supervisors assigning ‘soft’ or less strenuous tasks to females.

Stakeholders at  some dissemination workshops organised by the project team

Dissemination activities

o            Stakeholders’ dissemination workshop on 8th December 2022. The objectives were to share the research findings and recommendations and solicit stakeholders’ input and buy-in. The workshop report has been prepared.

o            The research outputs have been presented at the following conferences:

o            5th AfricaLics Research Conference held in Yaoundé from 9th – 11th November 2022. 

o            Annual Learning and Teaching Imbizo Conference held from 22 – 25 November 2022 at the Durban University of Technology, South Africa.

o            The project team in collaboration with the IDRC project officer and researchers on the IDRC GIST project developed and submitted a proposal to hold a panel discussion at the 2023 INORM’s Congress to be held from 30th May – 2nd June 2023 in Durban, South Africa.

o            Preparation have been made for the project team in Ghana, Benin and Zimbabwe to present the results to the IDRC network through a virtual brown bag seminar to be held on 25th January 2023.

Way Forward

The project ended on 31st December 2022. However, other dissemination events are being planned to take place in 2023. Publications are also being prepared by the project team while a workshop is also being planned in collaboration with IDRC to discuss the areas for future research.