The reflections of attending the 7th annual Evidence to Action Conference co-hosted by the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED). They collaboratively organised with Feed the Future MRR Innovation Lab and many other partnering institutions launched on the University of Ghana campus. The event was attended by over 400 delegates from 30 countries across the continent and beyond. Walk-through by high dignitaries created visibility for the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) and the Africa Evidence Youth League, an opportunity to engage delegates and our members based in Ghana.
The Evidence to Action Conference and Exhibition provided an excellent forum for meaningful interactions between researchers, experts, policy and decision-makers, and other stakeholders. The event brought together stakeholders in evidence-based and action-oriented activities, bridging the gap to achieve a genuine transition from evidence to action. Rich conversations, presentations, and engaging moments designed around a single annual theme bridge the gap that could otherwise reduce the effectiveness of work done on both sides of the aisle. There was much to do with pre-conference side events like training workshops and main events, including panel discussions, plenary presentations, and moments of levity during mealtimes and coffee breaks. Evidence to Action hashtag#E2A2024 was an opportunity for the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) and Africa Evidence Youth League to demonstrate their knowledge and effect and make new contacts. The highlight was interacting with our Ghanaian members: Kirchuffs Atengble, Justina Onumah (PhD), Roberta Blankson, Candide TAMADAHO and Theresa Ayerigah. From policy-makers and decision-makers interested in learning more about the impact of evidence-based initiatives to researchers and students eager to learn and interact, this was an excellent opportunity for delegates and organisations.
The first two days of the conference, 22-23 July 2024, were dedicated to pre-conference events, both public and private. Several trainings, workshops, and meetings for research teams and Principal Investigators (PIs) from Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, West Africa Regional Hub, ALL-IN (a collaborative initiative with ICED and Feed the Future MRR Innovation Lab), and ICED’s research department. There were dedicated closed training sessions on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning practices by the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) team, funded by UNICEF. The training equipped emerging evaluators with trends and key practices which would enable participants to navigate the field of Monitoring and Evaluation in their daily endeavours.
While the pre-conference events were running, Dr. David Sarfo Ameyaw (ICED CEO and president), Dr. Betty Simawua Annan, PhD (AGRA Ghana Country Director), and Prof. Peter Quartey (ISSERUG Director) held a press conference for local media channels.
The three-day main conference hashtag#E2A2024 started with cultural fanfare and excitement for the day ahead. A musical troupe of cultural drummers settled into the ISSERUG courtyard, playing multi-sized Ghanaian drums to present delegates with a vibrant traditional welcome.
The ISSER’s director, Professor Peter Quartey, and the University of Ghana’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, welcomed delegates to the 7th annual hashtag#E2AbyICED event. ICED CEO and President Dr. David Sarfo Ameyaw shared the conference objectives and the expected outcomes from the week-long experience. The morning continued with remarks from various national and international dignitaries and special guests, including ICED Board Chair Dr. Namanga Ngongi, Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu (Special Advisor, Vice President’s Secretariat, Office of the President of Ghana), Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako (Vice-Chancellor, UNIVERSITY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES-UENR), Dr. Emmanuel Marfo (Chairman, Parliamentary Select Committee), and Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darko (Head of Civil Service, Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Ghana).
The programme had different types of sessions to choose from during the event. There were panel discussions, plenary presentations, breakout sessions and the opportunity to network with key experts from 12 countries worldwide. The takeaways from the events were:
- Evidence-based strategies and approaches can transform communities.
- Evidence must drive policy and action for change.
- Grassroots participation must be increased for sustainable change.
- Technology and innovation must be fully explored to improve the delivery of work.
- Evidence-based decisions must be inclusive.
- Development plans must be better structured and evidence-based.
- Collaboration, stakeholder management, engagement, and awareness raising across sectors must be increased and prioritised.
- Empowering and nurturing emerging evaluators or leaders to enable them to participate and navigate the field of Monitoring and Evaluation and others must be deliberate and ongoing.
About the author: Siziwe Ngcwabe is the Director and Co-chair of the Africa Evidence Network. She is a South African inspirational trailblazing social entrepreneur, motivational speaker, personal change catalyst, and academic. She was born in Qitsi village, Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, and raised in East Driefontein mine in Carletonville. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work with honours from the Walter Sisulu University (UNITRA), a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) from MANCOSA, a Master’s degree in Public Management-MPM and Masters of Business Administration-MBA from Regenesys Business School. She worked at several organisations across different sectors in South Africa. Siziwe Ngcwabe is currently the Director and Co-chair of the Africa Evidence Network. She approaches the challenge of working in various environments with dedication and diligence. She believes with her willingness to continuously face new challenges, her intellectual curiosity, and her academic and 24 years of experience; she aims to continuously support connections and collaborations for meaningful African and global impact through evidence networks by promoting evidence production, use, and mediation for useful change. She is also committed to building innovative, collaborative solutions.
Acknowledgements: The author(s) is solely responsible for the content of this article, including all errors or omissions; acknowledgements do not imply endorsement of the content. The author is grateful to Charity Chisoro for her guidance in preparing and finalising this article, as well as her editorial support.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in published blog posts, as well as any errors or omissions, are the sole responsibility of the author/s and do not represent the views of the Africa Evidence Network, its secretariat, advisory or reference groups, or its funders; nor does it imply endorsement by the afore-mentioned parties
Suggested citation: Ngcwabe, S. (2024) An incredible, enriching and insightful journey to Ghana to engage with Africa Evidence network members and the EIDM community. Blog posting on 15 August 2024. Available at: https://www.africaevidencenetwork.org/en/learning-space/article/353/
