Recognise the abilities and capabilities of researchers - Institute

Mr Timothy Williams, the Director of Africa, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), has called for the recognition of researchers as they contribute to the world’s development through research. He said: "Researchers represent the future. Solutions to Ghana's Volta River Basin's land and water management challenges will be in their hands and, therefore, the knowledge, skills and expertise they are developing through their studies should be accorded the needed attention."

Mr Williams said this in Accra when the IWMI celebrated its 30th Anniversary and also honoured young researchers in West Africa. The celebration was on the theme: "IWMI Celebrates 30 Years with Young Researchers Awards". He said the year-long anniversary celebration across the world also marked 14 years of IWMI's work in Ghana to improve livelihoods, enhance food security and sustainability, and the management of natural resources. "As part of IWMI's 30th anniversary celebrations today, a selection of these students presented current and ongoing research activities on a variety of topics that have the potential for significant development impact in West Africa, hence their recognition today," Mr William explained.

The Director for Africa, IWMI, stated that their recognition was also a way of exposing the next generation of researchers to the media, and also to expose their works to the public. He, therefore, advised the researchers to work hard as their collaboration with IWMI would be key to effectively progress Africa's development agenda. Dr Olufunke Cofie, the Head of IWMI West Africa Office, explained that involving post graduate students directly in research formed an important part of IWMI's capacity building activities in Africa and respective regions they found themselves.

"We are committed to supporting aspiring academic, public and private sector leaders of tomorrow as they further develop their knowledge, skills, experience and ultimately their careers," she said. Dr Cofie noted that at present IWMI was focused on Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to improve upon small holder irrigation, intensification of sustainable agriculture, irrigation practices, managing water availability, climate change adaptation mechanisms, resource recovery, and to improve upon urban waste management and water quality in peri-urban landscapes.

Some student-researchers made presentations on Aquaculture, Estimating Water withdrawal and Use in the Bougouriba catchment, Burkina Faso; Use of Human Urine and other soil amendments in Tomato and Pepper Production; The Potential of dry Season Pepper and Tomato Irrigation in Upper East, Ghana, among other topics.

In all, 21 post-graduate students from Ghana and six from Burkina Faso who are pursing Masters and doctorates programmes in Ghanaian and Burkinabe Universities were presented with certificates. IWMI is a non-profit scientific research organisation providing science-based solutions and capacity building for the sustainable use of water and land resources in developing countries. It was legally established in Ghana in 2001.

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