Ghana National Prolinnova Workshop successfully completed.
Prolinnova’s present and future partners in Ghana met as planned from 7 –11 September, 2003, in Koforidua, Southern Ghana, to discuss and plan for Prolinnova in the country. The national workshop was building on the results of three zonal workshops that were held in Tamale for the Northern Zone, Kumasi for the Middle Belt, and Accra for the Southern Zone. These zonal workshops played a crucial role in the planning process in allowing more people to exchange experiences and provide suggestions for priority action areas for Prolinnova.
The national workshop brought together 21 farmers and agricultural development staff from a great diversity of organisations. At the opening, the keynote address was delivered by Mr. Isaac Mensah of the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council on behalf of the Regional Minister while Mr. Osei-Frimpong, the new National Director of Extension Services also spoke. A number of formal presentations helped to develop a joint framework. These included two case studies on participatory agricultural research and development, two presentations on agricultural policies and policy development in Ghana giving entry points for Prolinnova, as well as an input on the international Prolinnova framework.
In reporting on their respective zonal workshops, the 3 zones presented a number of key issues and priorities to be addressed by Prolinnova in Ghana. Complemented by other issues from the various discussions, these formed the basis for small groups to draft objectives and activities for Prolinnova in the country covering the following themes:
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Documentation and dissemination of local innovations
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Capacity building
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Strengthening of PTD for local innovation
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Recognition and rewarding of local innovations/innovators
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Mainstreaming of Prolinnova
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Strengthening collaboration among stakeholders
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Promotion of genuine, strong farmer groups and associations.
A three-member team is presently drafting the formal proposal incorporating the above. It was finally agreed that the present coordinating body for Prolinnova Ghana would also manage the future programme. It consist of the NGOs ECASARD, GOAN, ACDEP, the research programme RTIP, and MOFA. The committee could be expanded to include one or more farmer representatives, and one or two other organisations possibly from research.
