The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region, Ghana, in collaboration with Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS), Germany, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), has officially launched an E-Certificate Programme in Sustainable Land Management.
The ceremony took place at the University’s Auditorium, Multipurpose Building, and was jointly officiated by the Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, and Prof. Wiltrud Terlau, Head of the International Centre for Sustainable Development at H-BRS. The event drew members of faculty, management, and senior staff, including the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong.
The E-Certificate Programme is the outcome of a strategic partnership between the two universities, aimed at delivering short, specialised courses at UESD. The courses, which will run for six weeks to three months, include modules such as Land Information Management Systems and Evolution of Traditional Governance Structures, Climate-Smart Land Management, Gender and Land Rights and Sustainable Land Use Planning. The programme is open to students, alumni, and practitioners in the field.
In his remarks, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and UESD Coordinator of the INTERFACES Project, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah, outlined the roadmap that guided the development of the curriculum. He acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Peter Asare-Nuamah and other collaborators from H-BRS and partner institutions across Africa and Europe. He further noted that the programme will be hosted on UESD’s Learning Management System, making it accessible to policy practitioners, students, and professionals in land governance across the region and beyond.
Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson (Vice-Chancellor, UESD)
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nyarko-Sampson, commended the team for successfully launching the programme, describing it as a major step in UESD’s mission to lead in sustainability-focused education and innovation. He expressed optimism that the programme will attract a high calibre of applicants interested in advancing sustainable land management practices.
Prof. Wiltrud Terlau, Head of the International Centre for Sustainable Development at H-BRS
Prof. Wiltrud Terlau also expressed her delight at the collaboration, stating that the initiative exemplifies the importance of transdisciplinary knowledge co-creation and capacity building in sustainable land use and governance, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa. H-BRS actively partners with Universities around the world, especially in Africa, to promote capacity building and sustainable development through education and research. It works on sustainability, transdisciplinary research, and international cooperation, such as the collaboration with UESD).
Fresh Logistics Limited (FLL) on Friday, June 6, hosted a high-level delegation from the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and partners of the INTERFACES Project at its greenhouse cluster farm in Dawhenya in Accra.
The 70-member delegation included researchers from across Africa—Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Senegal, Kenya, and Namibia—as well as Germany. Also present were traditional leaders and officials from various public institutions. The visit formed part of the Status Seminar on Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa, held from June 2–6 under the theme “Improving Livelihoods through Local Research Initiatives within the Strategy of the Platform Research for Sustainability (FONA).”
The purpose of the field visit was to gain firsthand insight into FLL’s innovative greenhouse production systems, particularly its model for youth-led vegetable farming and agribusiness.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Boamah Okyere, Managing Director of Fresh Logistics, alongside Mr. Larry Selorm Amekuse, Chief Agribusiness Architect at Agri-Impact Limited, and other senior staff.
Mr. Boamah led the visitors on an extensive tour of the greenhouse facility, explaining core operational processes including nursery management, irrigation and fertigation systems, integrated pest control, harvesting, and market distribution strategies. He emphasized Fresh Logistics’ commitment to sustainable vegetable production, modern technology adoption, and youth-driven entrepreneurship.
“It was a pleasure to share our work with the FARA delegation,” Mr. Boamah said. “This visit offered a great platform for knowledge exchange and potential collaboration. Our model is centered on sustainable production, gender inclusion, and empowering youth to drive Africa’s agricultural future.”
Dr. Tina Beuchelt, a senior scientist at the Centre for Development Research, University of Bonn, lauded Fresh Logistics for its professionalism, gender-sensitive practices, and innovative greenhouse model.
“We were particularly impressed by the active involvement of youth and the visible leadership roles held by women,” Dr. Beuchelt noted. “This is a powerful demonstration of inclusive, sustainable agriculture in action.”
Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management and Outreach Officer at FARA, described the field visit as a fitting and inspirational close to the week-long seminar.
“Fresh Logistics has developed a model that is practical, scalable, and replicable,” Mr. Abugri said. “Its focus on youth, gender equity, and market-oriented approaches offers a blueprint for agricultural transformation across the continent.”
The team also toured the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) site at Dawhenya as part of the day’s activities.
The Fresh Logistics team also expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with FARA and other partners to strengthen innovation, resilience, and food systems across Africa.
About Fresh Logistics Limited (FLL)
Fresh Logistics Limited is a Ghana-based agro-company focused on the production, marketing, and distribution of high-quality fresh vegetables. Operating under strict quality control protocols in greenhouse environments, FLL supplies produce year-round to a wide buyer network including ShopRite, Eden Tree, Farmers Markets, Vegetable Direct, JOFOEL, and other retailers across major market centers.
A subsidiary of Agri-Impact Group, Fresh Logistics sources vegetables from Agri-Impact-managed farms and registered farmer networks, with a business model anchored in food safety, quality assurance, and adherence to good agricultural practices.
CEO of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA–NEPAD), Nardos Bekele-Thomas, has called for bold actions to make Africa a global agricultural leader.
Speaking at the official launch of the new Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) and the Kampala Declaration in Johannesburg – South Africa, she said “our continent’s future lies in united action – from seed to table, and from farm gate to global markets.”
“With 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, our vibrant youth, and rich biodiversity, Africa stands ready to become a global agri-food leader. But potential alone isn’t enough – we need determined collaboration, innovation and investment,” she added.
Ms Bekele-Thomas said African governments are committed to implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other strategies to help boost the continent’s agricultural transformation efforts.
“We will accelerate the full implementation of the AfCFTA to boost intra-African trade, sustain the Programme for Infrastructural Development in Africa (PIDA) and its catalytic investments, and fast-track the post-Malabo Biennial Reviews that sharpen our policy compass,” she announced.
“We have witnessed youth-led agritech innovations flourish and regional value chains take off under our collective stewardship,” she observed.
African heads of state and governments in January this year held the Extraordinary Summit on the Post Malabo CAADP in Kampala, Uganda.
The summit adopted the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) to guide the transformation of the agricultural sector over the next 10 years, along with the accompanying consensus document known as the Kampala Declaration 2025.
Over the past 20 years, CAADP has been the cornerstone framework driving agricultural transformation across Africa.
Launched in 2003 following the Maputo Declaration and reaffirmed in 2014 with the Malabo Declaration, CAADP has contributed to increasing agricultural GDP, higher average incomes, enhanced agricultural output, expanded agricultural trade, greater investments, and a reduction in hunger and poverty.
The Malabo Declaration expired at the end of 2024 after 10 years, and the Kampala Declaration has succeeded it.
The newly adopted strategy emphasises a food systems approach to address Africa’s complex agricultural needs, focusing on agro-processing, post-production, and resilience against climate shocks.
It prioritises inclusivity with a special focus on empowering women, youth, and marginalised groups to access resources and opportunities.
“Through the Kampala Declaration, heads of states have set a clear course to build resilient, inclusive and climate-smart food through systems guided by six strategic objectives that span production, processing, markets governance, nutrition, and financing,” Ms Bekele-Thomas said at the launch on Monday.
“Today’s launch is neither an endpoint nor a ceremony. It is the ignition of a decade of acceleration,” she said.
“We will unleash the power of our youth and women builders, not beneficiaries, through the $100m micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) initiative and the skills initiative for Africa, ensuring they gain land, finance and market linkages to drive rural entrepreneurship,” she said.
Representatives from key stakeholder groups called for commitment, action and long-term partnerships to ensure the strategy produces tangible benefits for Africans. Minister of Agriculture for the Republic of South Africa, John Steenhuisen, emphasized intra-African trade, transformative programming for smallholder farmers, knowledge creation and sharing, data-driven planning, and digital technology adoption as cornerstones for agricultural progress.
Executive director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Dr. Aggrey Agumya highlighted the significance of science, innovation, education, and capacity development in facilitating implementation of the strategy. He said FARA is ready to support implementation of the Kampala Declaration with these appropriate tools to ensure success.
President of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala said the African Union Commission had done well by involving farmers throughout the development of the Kampala Declaration and reaffirmed their commitment to its execution. She urged a supportive policy environment, enhanced investment flows, stronger extension systems, and deeper farmer engagement at the national level.
“We don’t wish to be summoned to eat when the food is already ready,” she said. “We request all partners to be truthful, commit to transparency, and concentrate on what is achievable,” she added.
At the 13th Plenary Session of the Global Soil Platform (GSP) held at the FAO campus in Rome, Italy, 3rd – 5th June 2025.
The plenary on soil health featured a key presentation by Christian Witt and Paul Luu of the BMGF and the 4per 1000 initiative; their presentations highlighted the importance of soil health notation for managing soils globally. The BMGF accentuated the importance of the soil information system and the effort and support the foundation provides at the country and continental level in Africa.
In his intervention, Prof. ‘Wole Fatunbi, the Ag. Director of Research and Innovation at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), emphasized the need to tie all efforts on managing the soils in Africa to the continental efforts that reside in the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil health Action Plan (AFSH-AP), the AFSH-AP is the 10 years implementation framework for the SIA. He indicated the importance of the Soil information to achieve the goals of SIA and soil health ambitions. The African president set an ambitious goal of restoring 30% of the degraded lands in Africa to a healthy soil status in 10 years. The current challenge is what is a “Healthy Soil” and what indicators should be measured, what are the thresholds of these different indicators, and what index will help define a healthy soil. While efforts are going on the continent to have the indicators, the cooperation of all stakeholders are essential.
On stimulating the right action, Prof Wole emphasized the need for broad-based communication efforts, especially those that touches the last mile with the soil users, “apparently, they are the ones to ensure their production asset is truly healthy”. In principle, the Africa Soil Information System must be robust enough to provide easily accessible advisory services to the users.
The need to effectively engage all stakeholders within and outside Africa in this drive is vital to achieve the ambition of African leaders in managing the African soil. This is reposed in the SIA and AFSH-AP.
To foster transdisciplinary exchange on sustainable land management, climate resilience, and agricultural innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa, over 120 leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners will gather in Accra for the “Status Seminar 2025.” Hosted by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn. This high-level event blends cutting-edge science with community-based innovation.
The seminar will spotlight four major regional research projects, including COINS, DecLaRe, Minodu, and InfoRange, as well as the cross-cutting support initiative INTERFACES, which links institutions across Germany and several African countries. These projects collaborate to address pressing challenges in agriculture and natural resource management through inclusive, evidence-based, and scalable solutions.
INTERFACES strengthens the projects’ effectiveness and visibility by supporting knowledge management, networking, science communication, social learning, capacity development, and policy engagement. The seminar will offer a platform to showcase research outcomes and foster dialogue among diverse stakeholders—from scientists to traditional authorities, from youth representatives to development partners.
Key themes of the 2025 edition include gender equity and intersectionality in sustainable land use, digital transformation in agriculture, and governance in fragile and contested regions. Participants will explore how collaborative knowledge development and innovation can bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, building stronger connections between Africa and Europe.
Highlights of the week-long program include a keynote address by Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana); a high-level panel on policy challenges in sustainable development; hands-on training workshops; and the launch of a new e-learning certificate.
A curated exhibition of posters and multimedia displays will showcase community perspectives and cross-national collaborations. Additionally, a field excursion will take participants to Dawhenya, where they will visit the Agri-Impact Greenhouses and facilities of the Ghana Irrigation Authority. These sites exemplify integrated approaches to youth employment, food production, and sustainable irrigation practices. The Ghana Irrigation Authority, in partnership with local and international stakeholders, supports farmers in producing and packaging crops like rice for domestic and export markets.
The opening ceremony on 3rd June will feature high-level dignitaries and institutional leaders, including representatives from:
The Office of the Vice President of Ghana
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (MP), Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI)
Eric Opoku (MP), Minister for Food and Agriculture (TBC)
Paul Bosu, Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA
Stefan Müller, Head of Division, Future Provision – Fundamental and Sustainable Development Research, German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space.
HE Daniel Krull, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
The conference will also host representatives from traditional institutions, youth and women’s groups, the German Embassy in Ghana, , and the media.
Project summaries
INTERFACES – Supporting Pathways to Sustainable Land Management in Africa
INTERFACES operates across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong focus on West Africa, enhancing the integration and outreach of regional initiatives in sustainable land management. The project facilitates inclusive dialogue on future visions and systemic change among scientists, policymakers, and community actors. By promoting co-learning, policy-relevant communication, and inclusive knowledge-sharing, INTERFACES helps bridge the gap between research and action. It also mainstreams sustainable land management concepts into academic programs in Africa and Germany, ensuring lasting impact. A commitment to gender responsiveness and social inclusion ensures that solutions equitably address the needs of diverse populations.
COINS – Co-developing Innovations for Sustainable Land Management in West African Smallholder Farming Systems
COINS works to sustainably intensify agriculture in Northern Ghana and the Senegal River Valley without expanding cultivated land. The project co-develops efficient land management strategies by considering both biophysical and socio-economic contexts. Through landscape-based modelling and data science, it identifies and pilots viable agricultural innovations. Farmers, policymakers, and scientists collaborate in innovation labs to test and refine solutions, focusing on inclusive risk management and incentive systems. The initiative ultimately supports policy frameworks that enhance food security and environmental sustainability.
DecLaRe – Decision Support for Strengthening Land Resilience in the Face of Global Challenges
DecLaRe is strengthening land and livelihood resilience in the sub-humid savannahs of Northern Benin and Ghana. The project develops a decision support system that combines scientific modelling with local and indigenous knowledge. This system helps guide policies and practices that support sustainable crop and livestock production, improve food systems, and enhance climate resilience. By aligning innovation with local realities and ensuring accessibility, DecLaRe fosters collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and the private sector.
Key Contact:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Buerkert, University of Kassel – [email protected]
Website: DecLaRe
InfoRange – Increasing Efficiency in Rangeland-Based Livestock Systems through Co-designed Digital Technologies
InfoRange leverages digital innovation to enhance rangeland management and livestock health in Kenya and Namibia. Working closely with pastoralist communities, veterinarians, and local authorities, the project co-designs mobile tools for pasture and veterinary management. These tools combine local knowledge with remote sensing and real-time data, offering accessible and context-specific decision support. InfoRange prioritizes co-creation with end-users, gender inclusion, and the use of participatory methods to ensure solutions are responsive to community needs and scalable beyond the project’s lifespan.
Minodu – Fostering Local Sustainable Development through Research and Technology
Minodu bridges the gap between research and practical land management in Togo by translating sustainability knowledge into accessible, user-friendly formats. It promotes inclusive dialogue with communities—especially women, youth, and digitally marginalized groups—to co-develop locally relevant solutions on climate change, water management, and land restoration. Through participatory approaches, Minodu empowers communities with knowledge, tools, and networks that drive context-specific actions and long-term sustainability.
