REPORT ON SATTIFS MID-TERM DISSEMINATION CONFERENCE

BY

Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori

Dr. Phyllis Opare

Dr. Micheal Lartey

Mr. James Agyei-Ohemeng

Miss Abigail Yeboah-Kyereh

SEPTEMBER, 2015

SUMMARY

As part of the project “Strengthening Innovations and Technology Dissemination for

Sustainable Development in Cereals, Cocoa and Coffee Value Chains in Western and

Eastern Africa” (SATTIFS) in Ghana, a three day Dissemination Conference, Steering

Committee Meeting and Field Visit were held at the University of Energy and Natural

Resources (UENR), Sunyani, Ghana from 27 to 30th September 2015. The objectives of the

Dissemination Conference were to:

Review the project activities in the participating countries to date.

Highlight the achievements of the project, and

Present the way forward of the project to participants.

The participating countries present were Uganda, Ethiopia and the coordinating country,

Italy. The Conference was opened by the Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Prof. Mrs. Esi Awuah,

who welcomed all participants to the conference and asked them to have fruitful

deliberations. The conference was chaired by Professor S. Nokoe, Dean of the School of

Graduate Studies, UENR, who observed that the conference was timely in the present

circumstances we find ourselves with climate change issues and other challenges bothering

our farmers and food security. The key note address was delivered by the Brong Ahafo

Regional Minister, Hon. Eric Opoku, who enjoined the participants to be serious in the

knowledge being shared in the project to enhance food security. The Project overview was

given by the Coordinator, Prof. Luciano Cinquanta of the University of Molise in Italy. The

Operational Unit Coordinators from Ghana (Prof. Obeng-Ofori), Uganda (Dr. Martine

Oyeko) and Ethiopia (Mr. Ashenafi Mitiku) briefed participants on their respective activities

and achievements from inception to date. Participants included the project partners,

including staff of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOFA), Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Cocoa

Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), maize and cocoa farmers from Wenchi, Techiman,

Nkoranza, Sunyani, Goaso and Akrodie. All media houses in Sunyani also participated. The

Team also went on a field visit to one of the cocoa farms established during the Farmer Field

School in Akrodie. The Project Steering Committee was also held. At the end of

deliberations, participants were all satisfied with the project update and the achievements of

the farmers so far. The end of project conference is schedule in Ethiopia in September 2016.

Introduction

The “Strengthening Innovations and Technology Dissemination for Sustainable Development in

Cereals, Cocoa and Coffee Value Chains in Western and Eastern Africa” is a project aimed at

building capacity in science, technology, and innovation in West and East Africa to boost food

security, reduce/alleviate poverty and enhance socio-economic development. It is being

implemented in Ghana, Ethiopia and Uganda. It is being implemented in several communities in

the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions of Ghana. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, cocoa

and maize farmers, artisans, processors and other practitioners in the cocoa and maize value

chains have been identified as key stakeholders to participate in the research and as beneficiaries

of the training and the research outcomes of this project.

The Mid-Term Dissemination Conference organized for stakeholders of the Project and

participants, made up of Directors of Agriculture, Agricultural Extension Officers, COCOBOD,

CRIG, Cocoa and Maize farmers from various farmer groups, Food processors and staff from

Gratis Foundation in Sunyani, Goaso, Akrodie, Techiman, Wenchi and Nkoranza in the Brong

Ahafo Region of Ghana. The Conference was organized to provide stakeholders and participants

with an insight into the objectives of SATTIFS and to expose the participants to activities

undertaken by CITED in the three countries; highlight some of the achievements of SATTIFS to

the participants and also to discuss the way forward for SATTIFS.

Attendance List

NO NAME DESIGNATION CONTACT/EMAIL

COORDINATORS/DIRECTORS/LECTURERS/RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

1 Helena Oppong-Kyeremeh Research Assistant helenoky@gmail.com

2 Datua Y. Philip MOFA(AEA) dantuayphilip@gmail.com

3 Akwaboah Joseph Oppong Teaching Assistant Kwey392@yahoo.com

4 Enoch K. Nsiah Researcher e.nsiah69@yahoo.com

5 Dr. Samuel Gyasi Lecturer samueil.gyasi.fosu@gmail.com

6 Agoura Dianton ACP-Coordinator rajoseph2005@yahoo.com

7 Reno Manoni ARPA Molise

8 Emmanuel Osei-Adade Director, Dept. Agric.

9 Michael Lartey Staff Scientist michael.lartey@uenr.edu.gh

10 Daniel Obeng-ofori Project Unit Coordinator daniel.obeng-ofori@uenr.edu.gh

11 Phyllis B.Opare CITED phyllis.opare@uenr.edu.gh

12 Frank Owusu Baofo FAQU frankowusuboafo@gmail.com

13 Isaac Adjei EKA Foods kellyadjei91@gmail.com

Martha Attaa-Asantewaa Staff, UENR kakraa@yahoo.com

14 Emmanuel Jesse Sarbeng Teaching Assistant nanakwadwo08@gmail.com

15 Prof. Kaku Sagary Nokoe Dean, School of Graduate

Studies, UENR

Kaku.nokoe@uenr.edu.gh

16 Simon Abugre Lecturer Simon.abugre@uenr.edu.gh

17 Giorgio Concoli Partner gioco017@guidil.com

18 Ashenafi Mitiku Operational Unit Assistant asnfmtk.mitiku@gmail.com

19 Luciano Cinquanta Coordinator cinquant@unimol.it

20 Bernard Adiku MEA bernard.adiku@yahoo.com

21 Prof. A.F. Adekoya Ag. Director IT

Directorate, UENR

Adebayo.adekoya@uenr.edu.gh

22 Ameli Atti Engineer, GRATIS Attiamelik7@yahoo.com

23 Selorm A. Ankudey ICT Assistant, UENR selorm.ankudey@uenr.edu.gh

24 Grace Okikor Operational Unit Assistant grace.okinor@gmail.com

25 Martine Nyeko Operation Unit

Coordinator

m.nyeko@gu.ac.ug

26 Charles Acheampong CEA Charlesacheampong25@yahoo.com

27 Owusu Boahui MOFA, Wenchi owusuboahui42@gmail.com

28 Samuel Adomah AFA, MOFA

29 Francis Attiogbe Lecturer fattiogbe@yahoo.com

30 E. K. Adjei EKA Food

31 Helen Agyei EKA Food Helenaagyeiwaa@gmail.com

32 Edward Annoh Teaching Assistant

33 Frank Musah Teaching Assistant frankmusah@yahoo.com

34 Richmond Oduro Research Assistant oduro.richmond@yahoo.com

35 Kojo Krampah Research Assistant kojokrampah@yahoo.com

36 Akuri Yakubu Nuhu Research Assistant

37 S.Y. Kwarteng Director of Agriculture samykwart@yahoo.com

38 Felicia Fosuhene MOFA feliciasabea@yahoo.com

39 Matilda Asafo-Agyei MOFA

40 Divine Aleley UENR divineteye1@gmail.com

41 Benedicta Gborglah GREENA, UENR xgborglah@gmail.com

42 Irene Djabatey URO,UENR djabateyirene@yahoo.com

43 Adjeitey Mensah T.M. UENR Adjietey.mensah@yahoo.com

44 Albert Tweneboah UENR alberttweneboah@yahoo.com

45 Francis Dwomoh MOFA

FARMERS

46 Thomas Kontor 024179231

47 Bartholomew Tawia 0201017975

48 Hajia Baffa 0540255715

49 Francis Ayarmah 024473007

50 Rose Brayah 0549645422

51 Akwasi Adusei 0248371701

52 Comfort Danso 0200957686

53 Asamoah Acheampong 0246396429

54 Adjei Manu 0260591059

55 Fabiianu Tigbee 0247997719

56 Jonathan Nsor 0246930022

57 Elizabeth Abisa

58 Gladys Abena 0243557646

59 Felicia Apao 0247199119

STUDENTS

60 Emmanuel Adu-Ofori Student Adufosuemmanuel@ymail.com

61 Nana Mbrah Nyanney Student nanambrah22@gmail.com

62 Kenneth Aboagye Quayson Student k.quayson@yahoo.com

63 Grace B. Badu-Mensah Student owuraanokye@yahoo.com

64 Matthew Ayaaba Student ayaabamatthew@yahoo.com

65 Adrian Mallory Student a.malory@ed.ac.uk

66 Dennis Owusu Student deowusu1@gmail.com

67 Richard Yeboah Student cotricly@gmail.co

68 Pius Apraku Student apraku6@gmail.com

69 David K. Acheampong Student Mr.you@yahoo.com

70 Abapori Ebenezer Student ebbenn92abapori@gmail.com

71 Emmanuel Boateng Student bemmanuel063@gmail.com

72 Jeffery Nketiah Student capochiny@gmail.com

73 Nana Domme Kwako

Owusu

Student nanaowusu877@yahoo.com

74 Gordon Kwame Kuma Student kumahgordon@yahoo.com

75 Kobenan Ouattara Student OUATTARAkobena11@gmail.com

76 Mike Ocran Student OCRANMIKE@GMAIL.COM

77 Nana Kwadwo Koranteng Student xccr04real@yahoo.com

78 Bismark Dadzie Student bismarkattadadzie@gmail.com

79 Ali Sandoo Oscar Student sandoooscar@yahoo.com

80 Abdul Razak Tahir Student abdulrazaktahir43@gmail.cm

81 Thomas K. Tiesim Student ttiesim@gmail.com

82 Edward Brobbey Student Brobbey@yahoo.com

83 Ibrahim Najeeb Student nij-ja@gmail.com

84 Josephine Dakura Student 0541811832

85 Josephine Adjei Boaitey Student Jaboaitey@gmail

86 Simon Ago Narh Student simmonnarhago@gmail.com

87 Christopher Heflide L. Student heflidec72@gmail.com

88 James A. Ankamah Student aajames72@gmail.com

89 Patrick Brenya Student brenyapatrick@yahoo.com

90 Prince Apetorgbor Student prince.senyo17@gmail.com

91 Alexander Frimpong Student

92 Nicholas Miwornunyuie Student minic2013@yahoo.com

93 Daniel Adusu Student adusudaniel@yahoo.com

94 John Afful Essuman Student essuman4real@yahoo.com

95 Eric Baidoo Student eric.baidoo@uenr.edu.gh

96 Victor Ayimboara Student borngreat160@yahoo.com

97 Bismark Dzineku Student dzinekubismark@gmail.com

98 Wonders Okpati Student wondersstephen@gmail.com

99 Theophilus Asakpo Koshi Student koshoasakpo@yahoo.com

100 Lawrence Aberba Student aberbalawrence@gnail.com

101 Clement Sasah Student Clementsasah77@gmail.com

102 Richmond Asante Student Mashante@yahoo.com

103 Wisdom Asiamah Akwasi Student wisdomasiamah@yahoo.com

104 Ernest C. Amrago Student

105 Etriakor K. Gbordzoe Student etriakorg@gmail.com

106 Evans Etor Asimah Student e.asimah@gmail.com

107 Emmanuel Adomako Student eadomako@gmail.com

108 Evans Gyapong Student kgyapongevans@gmail.com

109 Samuel Kofi Yeboah Student kwablazee22@gmail.com

110 Luther Kusi Student princeowusu444@yahoo.com

111 Enoch Oppong Student kwame2oppong@gmail.com

112 Frederick Mensah Student mensahfrederick17@gmail.com

113 Philip Aidoo Student Philip.aidoo@uenr.edu.gh

114 Osman Abekah Student Abekaosman42@gmail.com

115 Emmnauel Owusu Mensah Student Owusuemma.ome@gmail.com

116 Dennis Yankey Student dennisy742@gmail.com

117 Thomas Kwame Fosu Student Thomas.fosu@uenr.edu.gh

118 Theophilus Amedzro Student amedzrotheo@gmail.com

119 Bismark Doku Student bismarkdoku@gmail.com

120 Kwadwo Marfo Obeng Student marfoobeng74@yahoo.com

121 Prince Kwabena Boakye Student wesjunior90@yahoo.com

122 Benjmain Okugyei Student benjamin@yahoo.com

123 Jonathan Opoku Student Jyoni21@gmail.com

124 Mohammed Issaka Student Missaka90@yahoo.com

125 Bismark K. Appiah Student bismarkappiah424@yahoo.com

126 Thomas Mensah Student donprosper2@gmail.com

127 Isaac Yav Buah Student Isaacbuah123@gmail.com

128 Prince Adade Danso Student adadeprince007@yahoo.com

129 Benjamin Bampoh Affum Student benforpeace@yahoo.com

130 Comfort Atanga Student

131 Frank Alhassan Student Frank.A@gmail.com

132 Chritsopher Atta Student christopheratta@ymail.com

133 Julius Agongo Student agongojulius@gmail.com

134 Samuel Owusu Student

135 Emmanuel Owusu Student Omanuel9657@yahoo.com

136 Nathaniel Asiedu Student nanakwamenat@gmail.com

137 Samuel Asante Student kofisamuel96@gmail.com

138 Sule Musah Student papsyrichmm@gmail.com

139 Brilliant Kpodo Student briliantkpodo@gmail.com

140 Gideon A. Owusu Student marcokojo98@gmail.com

141 Clifford Ofous Adjei Student adjeiclifford@gmail.com

142 Edward K. Mounaah Student mounaahedward@yahoo.com

143 Isaac Eminent Student isaaceminent@gmail.com

144 Grace Yebaoh Student chuckletluv@gmail.com

145 Akua Danfuah Boatemaa Student prettygirlakua@gmail.com

MEDIA

146 Freda Abban GTV News Crew abbanfreda@yahoo.com

147 Chris Loliga GTV News Crew

148 Henry Effah GTV News Crew

149 Biiya Mukusah Ali Reporter, GBC biiya4mukusaha@yahoo.com

150 Daniel Y. Dayee Reporter, Metro TV danielyaodayee@yahoo.com

151 Kofi Oppong Asamoah Enews Editor,Sky FM piousjnr@yahoo.com

152 Kofi Ansu Reporter, Public Agenda kofiansuon@yahoo.com

153 Joseph Okine Space FM buata@live.com

154 Mark Asante Metro TV mmezakasa@yahoo.com

155 Emmanuel Sakyi Vision

156 Nana Osei Kyeretwie Regional Manager , Ghana

News Agency

n_kyeretwie@yahoo.com

157 Odeneho Appiah Editor, J.Life FM odenehokwasiappiahkubi@yahoo.com

158 Gordon Walter Seade Regional Reporter,Viasat 1

TV

gordnews@yahoo.com

Opening Ceremony of the Dissemination Conference

The Mid-term dissemination conference was held on September 29, 2015 at the Auditorium of

UENR, Sunyani, Ghana and chaired by Professor S. Nokoe of the School of Graduate Studies,

University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) and was opened by the Vice Chancellor, of

UENR, Prof. (Mrs.) Esi Awuah. Professor Nokoe in accepting to chair the function reiterated the

strategic importance of all efforts aimed at reducing hunger and improving food security. The

Chairman’s address was followed by a welcome address by Prof. (Mrs) Esi Awuah, the Vice-

Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) Sunyani. She also

expressed her appreciation for the impacts the SATTIFs project is having on local farmers and

consequently on Ghana socioeconomic development. She welcomed all participants and

encouraged students and staff to participate actively in the days’ events as well as the activities

of the project. The key note address was given by Mr. Fritz Mensah, the representative of the

Brong Ahafo Regional Minister.

Figure 1: Dr. Phyllis B. Opare, Operational Unit Assistant at UENR introducing the

Chairman for the Opening Ceremony

Figure 2: The Conference Chairman (Prof. Nokoe) and the Vice-Chancellor (Prof. Mrs. Esi

Awuah delivering their addresses.

Figure 3: Mr Fritz M. Mensah, reading a speech on behalf of the Regional Minister

The Regional Minister emphasized that the high agricultural growth can only be realized through

modernisation and diversification, driven by public and private investment in the agriculture

sector. He also mentioned that one area the government of Ghana is seriously and vigorously

pursuing is encouraging public-private partnership in agro-business.

The Opening Ceremony was ended with a Vote of Thanks by Rev. Dr. Phyllis Opare.

Project Highlights in Ghana, Uganda and Ethiopia

Presentations on the project were made by the respective Operational Unit Coordinators from

Ghana, Uganda and Ethiopia on their activities to date and some of the farmers also gave their

experiences with the project.

Figure 4: Project Coordinator, Prof. L. Cinquanta (left) and Prof. Obeng-Ofori (right), Unit

Coordinator in Ghana giving their presentations

The Project Coordinator Prof. Cinquanta emphasized that he was satisfied with the working

relationships among the participating countries and the establishment of the respective

Centers for Innovation and Technology Dissemination (CITED) in all the SATTIFS regions.

He was also satisfied with the improved knowledge, skills and attitudes about various

appropriate technologies that have helped improve productivity and food safety amongst the

various farming groups in the target regions.

Figure 5 Unit Coordinators from Uganda, Dr. Martine Oyeko (left) and Ethiopia, (Mr.

Ashenafi Mitiku (right) giving updates on the progress of the project

The conference was very interactive with participants asking questions about the project

activities and expectations.

Figure 6: Participants contributing to discussions at the conference

Figure 7: Participants listening to presentations

Figure 8: Some of the Conference Participants

Figure 9: Participants contributing to discussions during the Conference

Field Visit

On September-2015, the team then went on a field visit to one of the cocoa farms established

during the Farmer Field School in Akrodie, where they interacted with the farmer. The farmer

showed her appreciation to the SATTIFS team. She explained that the new techniques the project

team has exposed her were yielding good results.

Figure 10: Project team members in the Cocoa Farm in Akrodie

Figure 11: Farmer collecting fermented cocoa beans for drying

MINUTES OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 30TH 2015 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL

RESOURCES, SUNYANI, GHANA

OPENING

The project Coordinator Professor Luciano Cinquanta opened the meeting at 10:00 am by giving

a brief status report on the project in the three countries.

The Coordinator informed members that the 2nd Dissemination Conference at UENR was

very successful with positive feedback from participants.

It was brought to the attention of members that Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori has been given

oversight responsibility of project activities in Ethiopia to help them quickly work to

achieve the project objectives. Because of another commitment to travel to Italy he was

unable to go to Ethiopia immediately, however, the UNIMOL team in Ghana was going

to stop over in Ethiopia for a brief visit before returning home.

Prof. Cinquanta also inquired about the status of equipment that had been shipped to

various partners.

Partners from GULU in Uganda reported that they had taken delivery of all shipments to

date

Partners in Ghana reported that clearing the equipment have delayed because the

shipment documents were sent in very late and they were in Italian and had to be

translated officially into English.

After this the partners were given the opportunity to brief the committee on the status of

the project in their own countries.

GHANA

Ghana began by stating all the task actions that had been completed and which ones were

on-going;

The CITED has been successfully created with all staff trained and necessary equipment

procured for its smooth running. The inventory of potentially exploitable knowledge and

technologies has been completed. Also the stakeholder workshops to carry out selection

of potential technologies and innovations had been completed successfully.

The field trials for the validation of selected technologies in maize begun in the minor

season in 2014 and were still ongoing. Farmer field school and field trials were combined

and begun in the minor season of 2014 for maize and major season in 2015 for cocoa.

Trainer of Trainers for the Farmer Field Schools has been conducted for 25 participants

comprising farmers, agricultural extension officers, and food processors. However, the

training and facilitation of mechanics, artisans and blacksmiths to support the proven

appropriate technologies is yet to be done.

On visibility actions and dissemination events, Press releases and dissemination of

products had been done and others are on-going. Several newspaper articles and a press

soiree with extensive radio and TV coverage has been done. The manuals on the selected

technologies are being finalized. Additionally, the mid-term dissemination conference

was another dissemination event organized with more in the pipeline. Some of the issues

raised by Ghana included;

The need to streamline and find a more efficient way of shipping equipment.

The Operational Unit Coordinator also asked for copies of reports sent to Brussels to

be given to individual partners.

STI Network

The ACP Coordinator and Operation Unit Assistant in Ghana reported on the status of the

inter institutional networking

Several partners have been identified in Ghana and Uganda who have all agreed to the

STI manifesto. Members resolved to increase the sharing of information through the use

of cloud storage for all reports and deliverables to be shared with partners. They also

agreed to find more ways to make the network more efficient.

UGANDA

The team from Uganda indicated that they had procured PCs and 2 projectors for the

CITED office. They have also obtained 7 rice seeders and weeders, 6 of which are going

to the farmers and one kept at the CITED office for demonstration. They further reported

that they had received all the ELISA kit and its consumables sent to them; however the

kit got damaged at the port.

They have organized 3 TOTs on aflatoxins and f1 on food safety to date. They had also

conducted one artisan/mechanic training with one more scheduled in November on Post-

Harvest technology management.

The Uganda team indicated that they were yet to procure an oxen for the field work and

were preparing a proposal to that effect, they also intend to purchase 2 small-scale rice

reaper and threshers. They would soon begin the field trials of the technologies they had

identified.

They further informed the committee that they had two graduate students working with

them on the project, one of them concentrating on mycotoxin prevalence and the other

working on the field equipment trials.

Challenges at Gulu – they were of the opinion that some of the activities needed to be

undertaken were not exactly spelled out in the grant project document budget, and some

important activities had less money assigned to them. They therefore sought the SCs

permission to divert more funds to critical areas.

ETHIOPIA

Partners from Ethiopia shared with the committee the locations identified as possible sites

for the SATTIFS project. However, they were yet to assess and prioritize these areas.

They indicated that they had experience and expert staff to participate in the project.

The Operational Unit Coordinator indicated their willingness to learn from their

Ghanaian counterparts. They also indicated that they were still waiting for the

disbursement of funds to enable them begin field work.

The other partner from the Catholic church explained to the committee that in Ethiopia

the church is considered a non-profit or Non-Governmental Organization, so the diocese

actually recruited the University for the SATTIFs project and that they would work

together to achieve the aims and objectives of the project.

ARPA MOLISE

Dr. Manoni indicated that ARPA was collaborating with the partners on this project on

the chemical analysis and safety aspects.

ARPA Molise reported that studies made at Gulu showed that they need a new ELISA kit

for the micro toxin analysis to replace the damaged one. However, it appears that they

have systems in place to be a centre for testing and certification of micro toxins in

cereals.

The UENR laboratory was not yet fully functional for the micro toxin analysis. It was

recommended that a graduate student should be recruited to run the analysis. The team

was impressed with student participation in the aflatoxin analysis training in Ghana.

ARPA was yet to conduct an assessment in Ethiopia

ACP REPORT

The ACP coordinator reiterated that at the last SC meeting Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori was

given additional responsibility over Ethiopia.

He noted that there appears to be limited activities in certain areas among the partners, for

instance Gulu needs to increase farmer participation while UENR needs to upgrade its lab

and begin work with artisans and mechanics.

Gulu he noted had done great job on laboratory work with excellent collaboration with

the University of Naples.

UENR had excellent farmer participation and high visibility of the project in Ghana.

FORMALISATION OF STI NETWORK

With the initial contacts and a list of partners obtained, the lead partners in this activity

are to plan more activities to foster the partnership. We could add the links to our

partners’ websites on the project site and vice versa.

The ACP Coordinator asked for improved communication between the ACP countries to

facilitate more exchange of ideas.

CLOSING

In bringing the meeting to a close, the Coordinator informed the SC that there had been a new

Horizon Call and wanted to know if partners would be interested in collaborating to access the

funds for similar projects? All partners expressed their willingness to do so. The meeting came to

a close about 11:10 am.