By Kofi Adu Domfeh
Lecturers in some universities in Ghana are receiving training to build their capacities in curricula development with a specialized focus on Climate Information Systems (CIS) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA).
The objective of the workshop is to have feedback from the lecturers on each module and incorporate that input to improve the different modules.
The training was organized by the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), in partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL).
It was attended by lecturers from RUFORUM, AICCRA, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC), and WASCAL alumni.
Participants are provided with comprehensive training programme to raise awareness, train educators, and equip them with meticulously developed training materials across four thematic modules: Soil Carbon Sequestration and Crop Production; Disaster Risk Management in Crop Production; Livestock and Aquaculture; Renewable Energy, Water Resources, and Agriculture; and modules developed specifically for the CSA and CIS projects.
These modules are envisioned to significantly contribute to AICCRA’s broader mission of creating accessible training resources through RUFORUM’s online platform.
Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, in a keynote address, expressed delight at the role of KNUST in ensuring the success of the new curriculum.
She is optimistic the joint efforts aimed at integrating the four thematic modules into university curricula across West Africa, will empower universities and educators to make substantial contributions in these vital areas.
Prof. Wilson Agyare, Director of WASCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Climate Change and Adapted Land Use at the KNUST, emphasized the critical need to address climate change which has become a pervasive issue affecting agriculture, which is the backbone of the African workforce.
He underscored the significance of timely information in enabling farmers to adapt to climate-related challenges, such as rising temperatures and erratic rainfall.
WASCAL Scientific Advisory Committee Chairman, Prof. Brice Sinsin, emphasized the role of scientists in transmitting valuable knowledge to the next generation. He stressed the importance of integrating the new curricula into Graduate Studies Programmes and the need to focus on key issues related to agricultural productivity in West Africa.
Prof. Daouda Kone, Director of Capacity Building at WASCAL, provided an insightful presentation on the orientation and validation of the programme’s agenda, highlighting the programme’s expectations.
The AICCRA Project is building upon the successful legacy of the CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS) in Africa. It places a strong emphasis on the pivotal role of CSA technologies and CIS, with the overarching aim of enhancing the capacity of six African countries.
This innovative initiative underscores the critical importance of improving access to Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Climate Information Services (CIS) tools and knowledge for a diverse range of stakeholders.
