Policy LINK Promotes Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange through Learning Events in Ghana
Fathiaya Zakari, a participant from Policy LINK’s Leading for Change (L4C) program speaking at the Northern Regional Learning Event in Tamale.
To enhance collaboration and knowledge-sharing among key players in the agricultural sector, the Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK Activity hosted the first of several planned learning events across four regions in northern Ghana.
Held from September 12 to 25, 2024, in the Upper West, Northern, Upper East, and North-East Regions, the events—titled “Our Collaborative Journey Towards a New Era of Agricultural Policymaking”—provided an avenue for Policy LINK to strengthen its relationship with stakeholders and share lessons learned over nearly three years of program implementation.
Representatives from partner organizations share insights during a panel discussion at the Regional Learning Events.
The learning engagements were the first since the Activity’s inception in 2022 and presented evidence-based results, approaches, strategies, challenges, and lessons from activities developed in collaboration with stakeholders. The primary goal of the events was to encourage open dialogue and knowledge sharing based on the program's achievements and insights while driving sector reforms.
Under three key activity cluster areas—Strengthening the Capacity of Agricultural Sector Actors, Agricultural Risk Management, and Coordination Platforms—technical leads and representatives from partner organizations guided participants through presentations, documentary screenings, panel discussions, and table group discussions. These sessions provided a clear understanding of the Activity’s progress, encouraged the exchange of ideas, and served as a feedback mechanism to inform ongoing activities and shape future initiatives.
A cross-section of participants at the Northern Regional Learning Event in Tamale.
Over 320 representatives from government agencies, civil society, academia, research institutions, farmer groups, youth and women’s groups, and the media participated in the events. Policy briefs, assessment reports, and citizen poll surveys, among other knowledge products from Policy LINK, were shared, helping stakeholders increase their awareness and deepen their understanding of significant developments within the sector.
Yunus Abdulai, Country Lead for Ghana Policy LINK, expressed gratitude to the attendees for their continued support and active engagement, emphasizing that their feedback will help shape the direction of future interventions. He was hopeful that the strengthened partnerships and multi-stakeholder coordination emerging from the learning events would contribute to transforming policy systems and drive sustainable growth in the sector.
The learning events will be hosted annually to improve collective learning and feedback to contribute to a robust agricultural sector through collaboration and evidence-based strategies.