3rd March, 2026
By Peace Ahovi
WASCAL was deeply honored to welcome its sister institution, SASSCAL, to its Headquarters for a high-level institutional visit. Led by Chairperson of the SASSCAL Governing Board Prof. Gabriel Miguel and the Executive Director Prof. Nelago Indongo, the delegation engaged with WASCAL’s Graduate Studies Programmes (GSPs), Observatory Network, and the Governing Board leadership. The visit reflects the growing maturity of African climate institutions, which are taking ownership of continental solutions through science, partnership, and shared vision, and the renewal of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
WASCAL and SASSCAL are sister institutions born from similar historical contexts and support frameworks. As regional science service centres serving West and Southern Africa, both institutions have a common mission: “advancing climate research, human capital development, and demand-driven climate services.” Though operating in different regions, they face shared challenges including climate variability and extremes, food and water insecurity, renewable energy transition, biodiversity and land degradation, and climate services delivery. The regions may differ, but the mission remains the same: strengthening Africa’s resilience through science, capacity, and service.
Speaking during the engagement, WASCAL’s Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongré Ramdé, said, “The visit builds upon the Tripartite MoU signed in June 2022 between WASCAL, SASSCAL, and Hochschule Mittweida, which established a five-year framework for joint research, resource mobilization, staff and student exchange, co-development of training activities, joint publications, and infrastructure collaboration.”
The Second Vice Chair of the WASCAL Governing Board Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim emphasized that “the framework laid a strong foundation for collaboration and that the new bilateral MoU strengthens the WASCAL SASSCAL pillar by providing a more structured framework for complementary research, strategic positioning, and advocacy, including engagement with the African Union, and the establishment of a Joint Committee with equal representation to ensure coordinated governance and effective implementation.”
This strengthened cooperation marks a new chapter of deeper institutional integration, strategic alignment, and continental solidarity in advancing climate resilience and sustainable development across Africa.
