Accra, Ghana – June 24, 2026 – High-level government officials, researchers, development partners, farmers, and policymakers from across West Africa and beyond will convene in Accra next week for a major conference aimed at advancing agroecology as a pathway to climate resilience, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.
The three-day CIRAWA Agroecology Conference, scheduled for July 1–3 at the Palms Hotel by Eagles in Accra, will bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss innovative and traditional farming practices that can help address the growing challenges facing agriculture in the region.
West African agriculture continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, land degradation, resource scarcity, and market volatility, threatening food production and rural livelihoods. Organisers say the conference will explore how agroecological approaches can help build more resilient agricultural systems while creating economic opportunities for farming communities.
The conference forms part of the European Union-funded CIRAWA project, which promotes cross-border research and collaboration on agroecology across West Africa. Participants will engage in keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops focused on scientific research, policy development, and practical solutions for scaling up agroecological farming practices.
The event is expected to attract senior representatives from government institutions, international organisations, research bodies, and civil society groups. Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, is expected to attend as the guest of honour.
Representatives from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), UNESCO, the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) are also expected to deliver presentations on the future of sustainable agriculture in the region.
A key focus of the conference will be the integration of indigenous farming knowledge with scientific innovation to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen resilience to climate shocks.
“This conference marks a milestone in the progress made in the CIRAWA project towards greater agroecological understanding and implementation in the West Africa region and beyond,” said Professor Saa Dittoh, Agricultural Development and Food Systems Economist at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.
“Together we can harness traditional agricultural knowledge, scientific endeavour, and effective policymaking to bring about agroecological implementation that improves food security, climate resilience, market opportunities, and the livelihoods of farmers,” he added.
As part of the CIRAWA project, researchers are working alongside farming communities in eight regions across Cape Verde, Ghana, Senegal, and The Gambia to promote practices such as agroforestry, composting, biogas utilisation, mulching, terracing, and forage banking.
The knowledge generated through these initiatives will be compiled into an Inventory of Agroecological Practices, providing farmers, researchers, and policymakers with a practical resource to support the wider adoption of sustainable farming methods.
Organisers say the conference will serve as an important platform for strengthening collaboration among researchers, governments, development partners, and farmers as West Africa seeks long-term solutions to food insecurity and climate vulnerability.
With growing pressure on agricultural systems across the continent, stakeholders hope the gathering will help shape policies and investments that support a transition towards more sustainable and resilient food systems.
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
