Policy Seminar on Urban Agriculture in Accra
In collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Science and technology Policy research Institute (STEPRI), we organized a one-day policy seminar at the M-Plaza Hotel in Accra on 13th December 2005. The theme for the policy seminar was: “Urban Agriculture; Contributing to the Millennium Development Goals”. |
The objectives of the Seminar were to
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create awareness among policy makers on the importance of UPA to urban food security and local economic development
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Present key information regarding agriculture in and around major cities (presence, types, locations, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints);
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Discuss important constraints encountered by urban farmers, policy makers and other actors, in the light of the expected potentials and challenges of UPA for various policy goals;
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Discuss the outcome of the multi-stakeholder forum on UPA held in Nov 2005 and consequences of no-policy intervention;
Thirty participants attended the seminar. Invitations were sent to policy makers in three of ten regions in Ghana. However, most of the participants came from the Greater Accra Region and only one from Tamale, (partner city). Participants like the Honorable Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Directors of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Directors of the CSIR, representatives from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Presiding member & Planning Officer), NGO representatives, Best Urban farmer and the media attended the seminar.
Councillor Mrs. Winnie Makumbi, Kampala City Minister for Social Improvement, Community Development and Antiquities, was invited to the seminar to share the Uganda experience on the process they went through in reviewing existing policies and developing pro-UA policies. Her presentation brought to the fore, the similar situation of Accra then, and how through awareness creation and political will, the appropriate steps were taken to review existing policies and development of favorable policies, legislative and ordinances for UPA development.
Participants discussed issues arising from the main presentation and the example of Uganda. While the benefits of UPA were unanimously recognized, the key question was how to trigger the steps necessary to come from recognition to action? Participants discussed the prioritized issues identified in the multi-stakeholder UPA Forum the Statement of vision on UPA in Accra. Thereafter, the participants , spearheaded by the Deputy Minister discussed and adopted a Statement of Consensus which reflected the position of the participants at the Seminar and represented a summary of the way forward in UPA in Accra. The endorsed vision and a Statement of Consensus was signed.
In his concluding remark, the Deputy Minister commented that UPA is a reality that has come to stay; it can contribute to household income and reduce poverty; however, it requires strong leadership at both the local and national level. MoFA will ensure the provision of safe water for UPA and from 2006, MoFA will give an award t28.02.07nbsp;
Lessons learned/Challenges
The policy seminar ensured broader consensus and sharing of ideas. It also gave credence to the MPAP process and attracted a lot of political commitment. It was obvious that the whole initiative of formulating specific policy on UA requires strong political commitment and will. The challenge will therefore be the actualization of the “political” statements made by the Honorable Deputy Minister and the City Chief Executives at the forum. Strong lobbying and technical expertise would be required to provide the necessary information and pressure to realize the seminar statements. |
