R4D Sierra Leone

Africa Power & Politics. Annual Report 2 (2008-9)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:44:00 GMT

Miscellaneous 2009 38 pp.

Progress is being made in all 4 areas of the programme:

Research

the empirical scope of the programme has been refined and the work has been organised in six firmly led 'research streams';
initial thinking about research approaches (concepts, methods) has been carried into the streams, so that it frames the empirical work;
fieldwork has begun, in teams of various sizes, in 11 African countries;
the programme has started engaging actively with researchers working on cognate topics in other research programmes.

Research-training

research training of five fully-funded fieldwork-based PhD candidates has been overseen;
a number of additional doctoral students have been associated with the programme; and
tailor-made short practical training exercises and/or 'collective enquiries' (preliminary joint fieldwork exercises which serve training objectives) have been mounted.

Organisational capacity strengthening

staff and associates of all member organisations drawn into a relatively high-grade discussion about how to link empirical enquiry, theoretical innovation and policy implications;
this has been applied in specific research streams, with African researchers participating to some extent in training and research activities in countries other than their own;
relevant and accessible library and information resources have been provided to the Southern organisations; and
major investments have been made in the communications and policy engagement capacities of two Southern partner organisations.

Policy influence and policy development.
The APPP's approach to policy influence and policy development has been developed in a revised updated Communication and Policy Engagement Strategy, key elements of which were implemented in Year 2. They include:

a reinforced communications team with clearer roles and responsibilities;
training sessions, workshops and investment in technical equipment;
construction of an 'APPP friends' database;
engagement with key stakeholders to prepare the ground for adoption of policy lessons based on research findings; and
development of the APPP website to provide improved access to the programme's web-published papers, news and events.

Final Technical Report. Participatory promotion of on farm seed priming.

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:20:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Harris, D. 2006 Centre for Arid Zone Stutied, UK., 6 pp. The project purpose was: Methods to optimise cropping systems by agronomic means developed, tested, piloted and promoted. Specifically, the project objectives were to facilitate the testing, development and adoption of seed priming by farmers and researchers, using participatory approaches, for as many crops and countries as possible.

Investigating and Addressing the Requirements for Building Integrity in the Public Sector Information Systems in the ICT Environment. Sierra Leone Case Study: Personnel Records.

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:20:00 GMT

Miscellaneous International Records Management Trust 2008 International Records Management Trust, 46 pp. This case study explores successive efforts in Sierra Leone, over a period of 25 years, to establish employment and payroll controls, and it considers the lessons learned. It examines the deterioration of records control systems, the loss of control of personnel information, the link between corruption and weak records systems, and the consequences for payroll and personnel management. It describes in detail a successful pilot evidence-based payroll verification project in 2008 that provides a new approach to establishing control of pay and personnel information. The pilot now has been expanded to a highly successful national verification exercise. Although the national exercise is beyond the scope of this study, it is significant that even the President of Sierra Leone has been verified as part of the process. The case study draws on reports of work carried out in Sierra Leone by the International Records Management Trust in 1994 and between 2005 and 2008.

Fostering Trust and Transparency in Governance: Investigating and Addressing the Requirements for Building Integrity in Public Sector Information Systems in the ICT Environment. Annual Report, May 2007 to April 2008

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Miscellaneous International Records Management Trust 2008 International Records Management Trust, 46 pp. This report summarises progress for the period May 2007 to April 2008. It builds on the report submitted in 2007. The report details progress against deliverables and the project Logframe, a list of people consulted, and outlines of electronic records training modules and a records management performance assessment tool.

Among the activities undertaken, a comparative study on land records was undertaken in April 2008 in Botswana. In addition, it was possible to prepare a case study on related work funded by DFID in Sierra Leone. Further information was collected in Ghana and Tanzania. These studies have provided valuable data on the state of manual and electronic recordkeeping in relation to human resources and payroll information systems. A case study was also conducted in India, and a number of meetings and video conferences were held.

Notes of a Stakeholders Meeting by Videoconference, 13 June 2007

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Miscellaneous International Records Management Trust 2007 International Records Management Trust, 4 pp. At this video conference, the Chair asked participants to speak about strengths, weaknesses, and issues in their ICT and records system, based on the case study summaries or on their general experience and knowledge. Each of the Case Study nations outlined their experiences with the development of their human resources information and payroll systems. There are brief reports from Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia and Sierra Leone.

Steering Committee Meeting, 10 July 2008

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:19:00 GMT

Miscellaneous International Records Management Trust 2008 International Records Management Trust, 5 + 13 pp. A final videoconference of the project Steering Committee was held on 10 July 2008, with representatives from London, Washington and Dar-es-Salaam. Documents attached are the agenda and papers discussed, and notes of the meeting. Papers included: notes from a Stakeholders Meeting in South Africa; Development of the Training Modules; and Recordkeeping Performance Indicators. An update was also given on Sierra Leone and Botswana Case Studies. The meeting notes include brief summaries on discussions on these papers, and some overall conclusions and recommendations for next steps to be taken.

id21 natural resources highlights 2. Water.

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:12:00 GMT

Miscellaneous id21 2006 IDS, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, 4 pp. This issue includes the following short articles: The value of rainfed agriculture in a world short of water; Efficient water use tackles food insecurity; Managing groundwater for dry season irrigation; Water access in Ethiopia - can conflict be avoided?; Women and water in Sierra Leone?; Community priorities for water rights.

What the Communities Say: The Crossroads Between Integration and Reconciliation - What Can Be Learned From the Sierra Leonean Experience?

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:23:00 GMT

Miscellaneous J. Boersch-Supan 2009 CRISE Working Paper No. 63, 50 pp. This paper analyses the micro-determinants of social integration of former combatants into civilian life by exploring popular perceptions of integration and reconciliation at the community level. Presenting What the Communities Say, the status of integration of former RUF fighters in Sierra Leone and their coexistence and reconciliation with their community of residence is examined. I establish, first, that on the surface of day-to-day interactions Sierra Leoneans have achieved a state of peaceful coexistence amongst each other, successfully integrating the majority of former RUF rebels. This positive account leads me to two questions, namely, which factors on the micro-level are responsible for this success and, secondly, how deeply rooted this success is. Regarding the former, I come to the conclusion that integration and coexistence in Sierra Leone are based on a collective effort driven by pragmatic rather than emotional motives, as the fastest way of establishing a state of non-violence. With regard to the second question, my interviews show that peace in Sierra Leone relies on a number of conditions. I then turn to the level of emotions, exploring notions of forgiveness, revenge, and reconciliation. Deep-seated rejection and frustration with the current situation is revealed. Next, I discuss the actual interactions within the communities I studied. A picture of systematic discrimination against ex-combatants emerges. This discloses overall and not surprisingly the complexity of the process of integration and reconciliation in a war-torn society. The final section points to policies needed to stabilise relations in Sierra Leone, showing the importance of economic development as well as long-term social interventions.

RIU e-newsletter, December 2008

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:03:00 GMT

Miscellaneous RIU 2008 2 pp. Country news (from Zambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Nepal) and new publications are highlighted.

Improved treatment for sleeping sickness

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

A new combination of drugs has been successfully trailed by the DFID-funded Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative as a treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa

Stimulating demand for information in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:44:00 GMT

Miscellaneous 2008 RIU Africa Brochure, 5 pp. This brochure introduces Research into Use activities in Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zambia.

Elections and the democracy challenge

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:00:00 GMT

The latest issue of id21 insights, Issue #74 (August 2008), examines the role of elections in the pursuit of democracy

Sierra Leone takes a leaf out of Global Plant Clinic's book

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Poor farmers across Sierra Leone now have better and more regular access to reliable advice on plant health problems, after the DFID-funded Global Plant Clinic provided the Sierra Leone government with a way forward

Linking development and security

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Panel discussion on security and development in Sierra Leone at DFID, London

Pathways of Women's Empowerment

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:47:00 GMT

Current

Pathways of Womens Empowerment is an international research and communications programme established in 2006 which links academics with activists and practitioners to find out what works to enhance womens empowerment. The aim is to make these pathways of change visible and to build on them to inspire a radical shift in policy and practice. By involving policy actors and practitioners directly in the research and learning, they hope the work will be in itself a catalyst for change.

The programme investigates what enables women, individually and collectively, to empower themselves, how they can sustain these changes, and how development agencies' policies support or hinder this process in order to make such changes visible and to build on them to inspire a radical shift in policy and practice. The key areas of focus are:

Locating empowerment in women's everyday lives, applying a range of methodological and analytical strategies to gain a better understanding of how positive change happens in women's lives.
Tracing policy processes that seek to promote women's empowerment in order to understand the enabling conditions, strategies and tactics for achieving policy change.
Understanding strategies for change, seeking to reveal the factors for success and asking what works and what is specific to particular contexts, and what more generic lessons can be drawn.

Research strategy implemented for systematic identification of pathways of women's empowerment in four thematic areas.

Four centres of regional excellence in applied research strengthened CEGENSA, NEIM, SRC/AUC and BRAC University with capacity to implement and support policy research on womens empowerment within their regions.

Associated global institutions UNIFEM, DFID and other donors, IDS strengthened in their capacity to make use of innovative and critical research.

Communications strategy achieved, having influenced key stakeholders to take RPC research findings into account in policy practice.

Consortium governance and management system achieved horizontal working practices and power sharing.

The Mid Term Review of 2009 found that most of the outputs have either been achieved or are in the pipeline and nearing completion. Some of the real successes highlighted include:

Knowledge outputs of extremely high academic quality, the consistency of the quality is remarkable for a consortium comprising such diverse locations, the outputs are diverse in form, content and style.
A significant number of policy-advocacy and public education oriented communications materials have also been produced and used in the form of pod casts, photo exhibitions, films and videos.
Capacity of the research partners enhanced. There is some variation, in relation to the increased capacity of individual and teams compared to improved institutional capacity.
Communications is not an "end of pipe" activity but a central part of the programme.
Some stunning examples of creative communications work across all hubs: Stories for Change (Bangladesh), a pilot TV drama on mythical stories of Nigerian women, the Changing Times, Changing Lives photography course and exhibition (Bangladesh), work with Ghanaian Foundation for Female Photojournalists.
The programme created a transparent, democratic, egalitarian and effective system of managing the multiple partnerships and relationships within its structure.

Power and Politics in Africa

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:16:00 GMT

Current There is growing recognition that in low-income Africa the way power is exercised needs to change if widespread poverty reduction is to be achieved. This is supported by a well established general analysis of African states. But existing knowledge is of limited practical use. It does not tell us which types of hybrid formal-informal power structures may be capable of providing "good enough governance" and which are irremediably anti-developmental. This knowledge is essential because developmental states have invariably emerged out of neopatrimonial ones, and within contemporary Africa there is significant variation in outcomes across places, times and institutional spheres. We hypothesise that there is scope for reforms that work "with the grain" of the prevailing (often corrupt) practices to mitigate their most negative consequences and harness unexpected strengths. We propose a systematic study of this issue, based on intensive case studies and linked survey work in a range of African countries. This is proposed as part of an integrated programme, combining 1) research, 2) research training, 3) organisational capacity strengthening, and 4) policy influence and policy development. The research will be carried out in a way that helps to create constituencies for the needed changes in thinking and practice

The changing roles of agricultural rehabilitation: linking relief, development and support to rural livelihoods

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed This project is concerned with agricultural rehabilitation policies and poverty alleviation among rural population affected by conflict. The research relates to the EC's focus area on food security and sustainable rural development. Specifically, it explores programming options for closer links between humanitarian aid and food security policies in chronic conflict and post conflict situations. The project will directly address many of the priorities highlighted by the EC sectoral development policies for food security and rural development, exploring the extent to which these are appropriate to CC and PC contexts.

The social context of technology choice: A case study of cassava processing in Sierra Leone

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed Given the growth in importance of cassava production and processing in Sierra Leone, there are opportunities for rural households, particularly rural women, to increase their incomes through the adoption of improved cassava processing technologies. The study is designed to evaluate and analyse the complex and dynamic social relationships involved in the cassava processing industry in rural southern Sierra Leone. The social relationships involved in the processing and marketing of cassava will be investigated during two periods of field study. The study explores the technology choices of women cassava processors, ranging from the use of traditional labour intensive techniques to recently introduced semi-mechanised graters and other equipment. A range of informal research methods are used, including detailed case studies of processors classified by age, gender and wealth status. The research will increase understanding of the social context of technology use, and the various factors affecting decision making on adoption and technology choice. The local collaborators are the Institute of Agricultural Research in Sierra Leone and CARE. In terms of the perceived goal of the project - targetting of rural women with improved agro-based technologies - it has amply demonstrated both the popularity and the sheer impossibility of disseminating the technology, given its costs. There are some suggestive indications that there are a series of other technical innovations that are necessary and useful, if an effect on womens' income is to be possible. There may well be unforeseen impacts on nutrition and welfare arising from the expansion of the cassava industry. The research has clarifed the place of the cassava industry in household organisation and in the social differentiation of the rural areas. The findings of the research will be documented and published

Avenues for dissemination of findings within the region will be identified.

The overall objective of the study would be to provide useful outputs to guide the policies of local governments, aid agencies and research institutions commited to addressing the gender issues of rural household food security The social organisation of processors has been studied. Networks for the cassava industry have been identified. Ownership and use of the mechanised graters have been identified.

Participatory promotion of on farm seed priming

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current There is ample evidence that poor crop establishment is a widespread constraint of crop production in developing countries, particularly in the marginal environments farmed by poor people. Patchy plant stands are common, and yields are often reduced simply because there are not enough plants in the field. In addition, plants that do eventually emerge often grow slowly, and are highly susceptible to stresses such as drought, pests and diseases. Farmers can choose to re-sow, although this entails severe yield penalties and increased labour and financial costs, and there is evidence from India that borrowing to pay for replacement seed can initiate or add to a spiral of indebtedness. Clearly, anything that can be done to increase the proportion of seeds that emerge, and the rate at which they do so, will have a large impact on farmers' livelihoods. Low, unstable yields are a major contributor to the fragile lives of poor farmers in marginal areas. Low-cost, low-risk interventions that increase and stabilise yields will have a large impact on the livelihoods of such farmers. Pathways for the equitable uptake of technologies from plant science programme outputs identified, piloted and promoted. Benefits of seed priming validated by farmers in at least six countries.

Benefits of seed priming validated by farmers in at least three production systems.

Increased awareness of the value of seed priming with research, extension and development agencies in at leasat four countries.

Increased awareness of the value of a participatory approach with research, extension and development agencies in at least four countries.

Experiences with seed priming shared with institutions from non-collaborating countries.

Impact of seed priming quantified for at least four countries.

Greater understanding of the process of farmer-to-farmer spread of seed priming knowledge. Trials were funded by the project in eight countries (Cameroon, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Nepal, India and Pakistan) on 13 crops (rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, bambara groundnut, chickpea, lentil, mung bean, blackgram and niger). Responses to seed priming were generally positive, although not all trials are complete.

In Pakistan, priming gave a mean increase of 31% from 2 on-station RBD trials with sorghum, an average 26% increase with pearl millet (from 3 trials) and an average 20% increase with maize (2 trials). The mung bean average (from 4 experiments) increase was 69%, but included a 206% increase from one 4-rep RBD.

Non-project-funded trials were instigated in Bangladesh (chickpea, India (pearl mlllet, finger millet, rice, chickpea, maize) and Senegal (pearl millet, groundnut).

Registration of seed priming as a recommended practice was discussed at ministerial level in Pakistan (after only one year's trials).

Funding of work on seed priming was implemented or proposed by the British Embassy, Senegal, DFID Crop Protection Programme (ongoing project R7189 and proposed project on IPM in Nepal) and the Eastern India Rainfed Farming Project, India (DFID bilateral project).

Institutional information has been collated for production of a web page. The first season's data will be included on the web page and will allow the production of the first edition of a newsletter.

The web page can be found at: www.seedpriming.org and is being regularly updated. This has also been completely re-designed.

Trials funded by the project continued in 10 countries (Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Thailand) on 14 crops (rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, cotton, chickpea, lentil mungbean, blackgram, pigeonpea and niger).

Non-project-funded trials continued in Bangladesh (chickpea), Bolivia (wheat), India (finger millet, rice, chickpea, maize), Kyrgyzstan (various crops), Mexico (wheat), Pakistan (wheat, groundnut, maize) and Zimbabwe (pearl millet, sorghum, cowpea, Bambara groundut, maize).

There was continued interest from researchers and NGOs around the world and information on priming was supplied to a large number of groups.

OFSP adopted from Farmer Field Schools in Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Widespread use of OFSP in NWFP, Pakistan. Promotion by DoA, BARI and BRRI, Bangladesh of OFSP for chickpea in rice fallows.

Paired-plot trials adopted by On-Farm Research Division of BARI, Bangladesh (also linked to R7540).
Presentations were made at WARDA, and at two meetings in Nepal: the Nepal Maize Symposium; and a project-funded workshop in Bharatpur.
An additional uptake and impact study was implemented in Zimbabwe.

Trials funded by the project continued in 13 countries (Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Zimbabwe) on 14 crops (rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, pearl millet, cowpea, cotton, chickpea, lentil, mungbean, blackgram, pigeonpea and niger).

Non-project-funded trials continued in Bangladesh (chickpea), Bolivia (wheat), India (finger millet, rice, chickpea, maize), Kyrgyzstan (various crops), Mexico (wheat), Pakistan (wheat, groundnut, maize) and Zimbabwe (pearl millet, sorghum, cowpea, Bambara groundnut, maize).

There was continued interest from researchers and NGOs around the world and information on priming was supplied to a large number of groups.

OFSP adopted for Farmer Field Schools in Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Widespread use of OFSP in NWFP, Pakistan. Official promotion by DoA, BARI and BRRI, Bangladesh of OFSP for chickpea in rice fallows.

Paired-plot trials adopted by On-Farm Research Division of BARI, Bangladesh (also linked to

Cassava and household food security in rural area of Makeni/Segbwema in Sierra Leone

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed The increased importance of cassava production and processing in Sierra Leone has resulted in greater economic pressures being placed upon processors of cassava based foods for urban consumption. Questions arise with regard to chemical and microbiological safety of these foods. 1.)A comparison of rice and cassava production in selected zones of Sierra Leone. 2.)Review of the importance of cassava roots and products in the diet. 3.)A review of current cassava processing methods and collection of key technical and economic data. 4.)Chemical analysis of the qualities of fresh roots and processed cassava products. 5.)An overview of international and national policy toward starch staples and household security, and GoSL strategies for these commodities. Evaluation of current cassava processing and marketing methods in Sierra Leone.

Quality assessments of traditional cassava food marketed in urban centres.

Evaluation improvements to the traditional processing and storage of important cassava foods.

Strategies for the improvement of traditional cassava processing in Sierra Leone. 1.)A study of relevant literature held in the UK and Sierra Leone was conducted.

2.)The importance of cassava roots and products in the diet was studied using the secondary data obtained in Sierra Leone, revealing that cassava is the second staple after rice in Sierra Leone. The leaves, roots and processed forms of the roots are all consumed. The leaves are consumed as an important vegetable-based sauce. The peeled roots are eaten raw, boiled or roasted for breakfast or as a main meal. The processed forms such as foofoo and gari are also consumed as main meals - Gari is sometimes eaten as a snack food or as a gruel whilst foofoo can be used as a weaning food.

3.)A review of current processing methods was addressed during a visit to Sierra Leone during which cassava processors were interviewed.

4.)Chemical analysis of cassava products were conducted both in Sierra Leone and NRI, UK.

5.)Cassava now plays a major role in household food security both internationally (especially sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and East Asia) and nationally in Sierra Leone. Policies have been adopted internationally to promote breeding of low cyanogen, high yielding and more pest resistant varieties. In Sierra Leone however, little emphasis have been placed on the cyanogenic potential of the roots and products.

The cultural and agricultural significance of rice germplasm diversity in West Africa (ESCOR)

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed Project preparation assistance was provided to develop an inter-disciplinary research proposal on the agronomic potential and socio-economic signficance of indigenous rice cultivars in Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Gambia.

Social forestry, wildlife conservation and rural development: forest management in Sierra Leone (ESCOR)

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed This project investigated people's attitudes and behaviour towards forest management in the Gola Forest reserve in Sierra Leone. Surveys confirmed the great significance of forest products in the local economy. Most products are derived from secondary rather than high forest areas, and local methods of coffee and cocoa plantation protect high forest trees. Proposals for forest conservation need to build on local knowledge and practice and should encompass a broad framework covering the fertility and productivity of all components within the local agro-ecosystem.

The impact of training on women's micro-enterprise

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed This study seeks to examine the impact of different types of training on the income generating capacity of poor women in the south, and in so doing to generate a better understanding of the nature of successful training interventions in this context which might inform both policy and practice.

Post-war reconstruction in Sierra Leone: what political structures may be viable

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed Monitor Sierra Leone's restored chiefdom system identifying problems for social integration opportunities and strategies for local government. Observation of current chiefdom governance and assessment of its capacity to response. Attention given to local problem-solving initiatives emerging in war-affected communities. Comparison of Sierra Leone's dilemma of local government reform with experiences of other African countries. Developing of ideas about possible social futures or promoting alternative ones.

Launching Research into Use: enabling the poor to benefit from research

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:00:00 GMT

A multi-million pound DFID-funded programme that aims to maximise the poverty-reducing impact of previous research on natural resources has been launched in Johannesburg

FARA Executive in Time top 100

Thu, 10 May 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Monty Jones the Executive Secretary for the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) has been named by Time as one 100 most influential people in the World