ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission (AUC), NEPAD Agency and Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) jointly co-organized from 7 – 8 of September 2015, a consultative workshop on the Implementation Framework of the “Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024”, (STISA-2024). The workshop is hosted by the Secretariat of FARA in Accra, Ghana with the view to elaborate and agree on the implementation framework of STISA-2024 and brainstorm on the implementation of priority one, on “eradication of hunger and ensure nutrition and food security”, a case of engaging FARA, CORAF, RUFORUM, ASARECA, and African Universities including PAULES, PAUBST, and other key institutions, the NEPAD Agency, Regional Economic Communities and Specialized Institutions of the African Union Commission.
The workshop is attended by Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, and the Hon. Prof. Nana Okpoku, Minister of Education of the Republic of Ghana. The ministers underscored the role of science and technology not only for Ghana’s socio-economic development but for the whole continent and welcomed STISA-2024 as an instrument for collectively addressing Africa’s challenges as articulated by its priority areas.
Dr. Martial De-Paul Ikounga, the Commissioner for Human Resources Science and Technology, who gave a keynote address, called for “reorganization of our institutions on the continent to work together in the implementation of STISA-2024 and called upon Member States to active role in the implementation process particularly through through building and upgrading research infrastructures, enhancing professional and technical competencies, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship development and continuing to create an enabling environment for STI”.
Mr. Sam Adam, the representative of the Chair of the Board of FARA, welcomed the participants, and conveyed the apologies of the Chair of the Board of FARA who would have joined the workshop had it been not for other commitments. The Executive Secretary of FARA, Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, who hosted the workshop welcomed the participants and outlined the role and vision of FARA and measures they are taking, while aligning to STISA-2024, to support agriculture in the continent through the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa S3A.
