October 3, 2023, Accra, Ghana:
From 25 to 29 September 2023, a CORAF delegation, consisting of the Head of Knowledge Management, Ms Poko Alida Nadinga and the Head of IT Mr Ababacar Diouf, embarked on a benchmarking mission to learn about FARA’s knowledge management system. The team was welcomed to the FARA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, by the Head of Human Resources and Administration, Ms Ama Pokuah Asenso, on behalf of the Executive Director, Dr Aggrey Agumya.
Mr Ababacar DIOUF and Ms Poko Alida NADINGA
The FARA team, consisting of the Lead specialist from the Knowledge, Learning and Communication Management Unit, Mr Benjamin Abugri, the IT Manager, Mr Francis Kpodo and the Web Designer, Mr Gabriel Quansah, provided an overview of FARA and its role as a continental institution. The technical sessions focused on the operational infrastructure and products of the FARA knowledge management system, including the virtual knowledge hub christened FARADataInformS, the directory of experts, the digital archiving system, and the community of practice. The team also seized the opportunity to examine the technological architecture supporting these different knowledge management platforms.
It is important to note that as part of the implementation of the CAADP XP4 programme, FARA is responsible for developing the continental Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) directory of experts and transferring the West and Central Africa’s management of experts to CORAF and the lead Sub-Regional Agricultural Organization. In addition, FARA intends to work with CORAF to revitalize its knowledge management system through experience sharing and technical assistance.
CORAF has affirmed its commitment to support FARA in strengthening data security and integrity to ensure the protection of key knowledge generated over the years. To this end, a FARA delegation will visit Dakar to inspect CORAF’s entire technological infrastructure, including the data centre and security platforms. This mission will also serve as a framework for presenting and validating the expert directory tool and training the CORAF team in its use.
The two teams have developed a joint action plan to ensure better follow-up of the actions and recommendations resulting from this knowledge-sharing mission.
The two organizations, through a letter of agreement signed, will continue to leverage each other’s strengths in Knowledge Management, Information technology and monitoring and evaluation to accelerate the achievement of the CAADP Malabo targets and support the African farmer and related actors, to realize their highest potentials.
This mission is made possible mainly through the vision of the two eminent leaders of FARA and CORAF, Dr Aggrey AGUMYA, Executive Director of FARA, and Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, Executive Director of CORAF, who are committed to improving knowledge management in the agricultural research sector for a better future for the people of Africa.
The EX-Pillar 4 project of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP-XP4) is funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA programme and managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme is jointly implemented by the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA); Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA); West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF); and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)