Launch of the Ghana Soil Information Service (GhaSIS)

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for Ghana held a two day workshop in Accra from 22-23 April 2015 to launch and plan the Ghana soil information service (GhaSIS). The work shop was co-organized by the Soils Research Institute and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The workshop took place at the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI) of CSIR.

The workshop brought together over 25 participants from a range of stakeholders in Ghana, including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, farmer’s organizations, the private sector, research institutions and other government departments such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Land Commission and Survey Department. International partners were also in attendance including AGRA, ISRIC, CABI and members of the African Soils Information Service (AfSIS). Members of the press were also in attendance.

The purpose of the workshop was to create awareness among stakeholders and clients in Ghana and share experiences from other countries implementing AfSIS activities. The workshop focused on identifying and prioritizing products and key users of GhaSIS activities as well as the key region of Interest (ROI). During the second day the workshop focused on developing action plans to make GhaSIS a reality.

Conclusion/Way forward:

• Management structures: Dr. Francis Tetteh to coordinate with assistance from Dr. Wilson Agyei Agyare
• Steering committee: MoFA, CSIR-SRI, KNUST, NGO, International agricultural/land base organization and Private Sector
• Products Identified: Soil fertility tool kit, Soil Suitability tool kit, Soil property tool kit, Soil water availability tool kit and Yield Gap tool kit.
• Key Stakeholders: Research/Universities, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Farmers/Farmer Based Organizations, Agro-Input dealers, Extension Service providers, Policy makers, Environmental Protection agencies, Land use planners, Consultants, Investors, Land owners.
• Region of Interest: Transition Zone

 

The management team will prepare a details action plan for GhaSIS activities in 2015 for approval by the Steering Committee by the end of June.

Ghana now joins other participating countries which have formalized national soil information services, namely: Ethiopia (EthioSIS), Tanzania (TanSIS) and Nigeria (NiSIS).

by Bruce Scott, Columbia Global Centers | Africa