Participants of the Meeting
Pan-African, independent research network, Afrobarometer, has successfully completed its Round 10 Planning meeting in Accra.
The meeting, which was the first network-wide in-person gathering after the Covid-19 pandemic, saw the network’s core and national partners, board members, and the International Advisory Council (IAC) share experiences and best practices in conducting survey research and using findings to inform current policy debates.
The weeklong event also saw participants formulate strategic plans, exchange practical insights and engage in active discussions to enhance Afrobarometer’s impact in Africa.
Discussions about empowering data-driven analysis in Africa, leveraging communication channels, and committing to quality control within the network were also held into detail.
The completion of the meeting will facilitate the network’s next series of surveys expected to be conducted in 40 African countries.
Former Liberian President and member of the IAC, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, during the meeting emphasised the importance of continuous capacity building for research, analysis, and communication across Africa.
“Investing in research and building the capacity of African researchers and policy makers is crucial for evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development in our continent,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afrobarometer, Joseph Asunka, also highlighted the importance of African data in sustaining democracy in African countries through the accounting of African experiences.
“If democracy is indeed a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, then the people’s voice and lived experiences must count in policy and development decisions that affect their lives,” he shared.
By Abigail Atinuke Seyram Adeyemi