In an initiative aimed at advancing research and development in Africa, the University for Development Studies (UDS) in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation launched a three-day workshop at the Mariam Hotel in Tamale.

 The workshop, inaugurated by UDS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan seeks to deepen understanding and reshape monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) methods tailored to the African context.

 Addressing attendees, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan emphasized the importance of challenging conventional norms, stating, "This project is relevant to the development of Africa and must be approached with all sincerity." He highlighted the significance of African cultural practices, noting, "Taboos, festivals, and storytelling are all African ways that must be studied further."

The vice Chancellor welcomed all participants drawn from academia and research institutions from across the African Continent for coming to Tamale to brainstorm and co-create an African indigenous way of Monitoring, Evaluating and Learning. Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan said, UDS is a hub of pro-poor academic excellence and would continue to maintain this position due to its close relationship with the people and by taking their voices into account through its flagship programme, the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP).

The workshop aims to stimulate new thinking around development by advocating for context-specific approaches. Professor Seidu Al-Hassan stressed the need for Africa to assert its own knowledge systems and challenge dominant global paradigms. "We must decolonize our mindset towards development and know that development in itself is contextual", Professor Seidu Al-Hassan emphasized. He, however, cautioned against culturally sensitive approaches that may derail the impact of the project.

Dr. Ishmael Ayanore, co-lead of the UDS team, underscored the importance of retraining project evaluators, stating, "Project evaluation and evaluators themselves must de-school and reschool themselves even before going to the field for evaluation." He emphasized the need to incorporate indigenous perspectives into project design to ensure local ownership and relevance.

The workshop drew participants from various African countries including Cameroon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Mauritania, Tanzania, Kenya, and Gabon, showcasing a continent-wide commitment to reshaping development approaches.

Ms. Adeline Sibanda, Senior Director of Programs Impact Support and Advisory at the MasterCard Foundation, celebrated the workshop as a step towards realizing the vision of the late Dr. Sule Gariba, stating, "We are entering a new dawn of Monitoring and Evaluation in Africa and must be happy that the dream of Dr. Gariba is finally coming true".

The workshop showcases the university's commitment to pro-poor academic excellence and community engagement through initiatives like the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP), where knowledge is generated from the people.

Story by; Sumaila Mohammed (UDS Media)