Representatives from West African universities have renewed their commitment to preparing graduates for the realities of a changing climate, following a four-day workshop at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
At the opening session, KNUST’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, highlighted the continent’s climate vulnerability: “Africa’s dependence on natural resources limits our capacity to cope with these changes. This curriculum comes at the right time. I am confident it will help change the status quo.” She remarked.
Organised by WASCAL, in partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and supported by the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa, (AICCRA), the workshop brought together deans, lecturers and extension officers from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire. For four days, participants engaged deeply with four thematic modules on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Climate Information Services, testing materials and offering critical feedback to ensure every lesson spoke to local realities.
Also delivering his remarks, Dr Alcade Segnon, senior scientist, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, emphasised: “Let us seize this opportunity to shape the curricula and course content, share best practices, and create actionable roadmaps for future replication in our countries and across the continent. Your expertise and commitment are the catalysts for change, and together, we can foster a new wave of professionals capable of driving sustainable agricultural transformation in West Africa and Africa at large.” He said.
Reflecting on progress since the first gathering in Kumasi in 2023, WASCAL’s Executive Director, Professor Emmanuel Ramde, endorsed the collaborative spirit driving the project forward. “As we return to our various institutions, I urge each of us to be champion of transformation. Let us take what we have learned here and ensure it translates into curricula, classrooms, research, and ultimately into resilient farming communities across our region.” He spoke.
Participants’ contributions will enable the production of a comprehensive report documenting the gap analysis, the testing process, lessons learned, and recommended pathways for disseminating the materials to universities beyond the AICCRA network. They were also urged to integrate these modules into their lectures, guide students in practical climate solutions, and collaborate with colleagues across the region.
Participants refined the curriculum, documented the entire process, from gap assessment to field testing, and prepared a comprehensive report to guide future course development. The revised materials will be made available on the RUFORUM online platform, ensuring that universities across West and Central Africa can adopt and adapt them. With this renewed pledge, West African higher education stands poised to translate climate research into action, equipping a new generation of leaders and practitioners to build resilient, sustainable agriculture across the region.
