February 2015, the USAID Feed the Future (FtF) Project launched the “Institutional Capacity Building to Improve Agricultural Productivity and Food Security in the context of Economic Policy Management in Ghana” at the University of Ghana. “Africa Lead” is USAID’s primary capacity building program in sub Saharan Africa. The program works to help realize “Feed the Future” (FTF) and the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program.
The purpose of the workshop was to help the participants gain an understanding of the relationship between monitoring and evaluation, results based management and knowledge management and the components of a Monitoring and Evaluation plan. The participants also gained hands-on experience in preparing a results framework. They were also taken through the selection of key performance indicators and how to set SMART indicators as well as setting benchmarks and targets. Participants’ knowledge about data quality assessment, data analysis and reporting was also enhanced.
University of Ghana team undertaking group exercises
The workshop enabled the various institutions to develop their M&E plans, results framework and an M&E action plan. Although the course was designed for M&E staff, it proved useful for Scientists and Researchers who participated. Given that there have been few opportunities for Scientists to participate in such training workshops; the training was a good opportunity to enhance their knowledge in M&E and RBM (CAADP) goals of reduced hunger and poverty by building the capacity of champions, institutions and stakeholders to develop, lead and manage the structures needed for African-led agriculture transformation. Participants were also equipped with skills and knowledge in M&E and RBM principles and practice, how to help operationalize UCC, UG & GCAP M&E framework using an RBM approach; and develop a roadmap to implement the M&E framework.
Participants gained knowledge not only on how to effectively use modern RBM & M&E tools but also how to communicate information on project performance to their organizations and stakeholders. These core competencies are expected to help UG, UCC and GCAP improve their planning, analyses, and decision-making capacity, increase the availability, applicability and use of high-quality evidence-based data for decision-making.
University of Ghana participants receiving their certificates
In all, there were 23 participants in the workshop representing the various institutions; nine (9) from University of Ghana, six (6) from University of Cape Coast, four (4) from the Ghana Commercial Agricultural Project, three (3) from Africa Lead and one (1) person from USAID.
The University of Ghana was also represented by the Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. John Ofosu-Anim and other implementing team members on the USAID FtF Project at the University of Ghana. The workshop was facilitated by a consultant, Madam Francine Agueh.
