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Guyslain K. Ngeleza Ghana Strategy Support Program International Food Policy Research Institute. Policy and knowledge systems in agricultural development at the country level: Experience from Ghana. E-mail: g.ngeleza@cgiar.org. Introduction: GSSP as research institute.
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Guyslain K. Ngeleza Ghana Strategy Support Program International Food Policy Research Institute Policy and knowledge systems in agricultural development at the country level: Experience from Ghana E-mail: g.ngeleza@cgiar.org
Introduction: GSSP as research institute • GSSP is a research, communication, and capacity-strengthening Program • Objective: building the capabilities of researchers, administrators, policymakers, and members of civil society in Ghana to develop and implement agricultural and rural development strategies. • How to achieve this objective GSSP: • identifies knowledge and information needs • produces knowledge • Disseminates knowledge
Key issues in building effective knowledge systems Making the system relevant Building on local knowledge and enhancing capacity through research Communicating effectively for impact
Lessons: Enhancing Relevance • Develop a research portfolio that has a theme relevant to the country (In Ghana: how to transform agriculture?) • Develop a research agenda on the basis of discussions with donors and the ministry and review of country policies and strategies • All research activities must answer some simple questions that make sense to policy makers • Examine Issues that the government feels are important (irrigation) or spends a significant share of the budget on (fertilizer subsidy and mechanization)
Lessons: Building capacity while doing research • Build research teams with academics and practitioners • Engage relevant organizations in research (examples: mechanization and livestock) • Review past interventions • Compile information that may be available only with the organization • Work with people from the industry (tomato case study)
Lessons: Disseminating Research • Target not just the Ministry: it is as important, if not more, to influence local donor thinking • Engage in country processes: Participate in reviews and donor group meetings to disseminate findings – and identify relevant research issues • Offer quick results – frequent and sequenced outputs that build on each other • Employ innovative methods to facilitate learning (tomato case study)
Conclusion • Develop a research agenda that tackles the most relevant issue to the country increase they effectiveness. • Building on local knowledge is the best way of circumscribing the research and enhancing capability. • And the best way to disseminate knowledge is to participate in country processes engaging both ministry and donors, but also participate in current debate in the country with intermediary research outputs that build on each other.