Experience of the Ghana Agricultural Information Network Systems (GAINS)

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

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PANEL DISCUSSION/INVESTING IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION IN AFRICA

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE GHANA AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION NETWORK SYSTEM (GAINS)

Joel Sam, GAINS Coordinator

Email: [email protected]

Presentation at the Joint Conference of IAALD, AFITA and WCCA, Atsugi, Japan, 24-

27 August 2008


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Introduction

GAINS is a network of agricultural libraries and information centres in Ghana

Established in 1991 – GOG/World Bank NARP Revitalize library and information system in

the agricultural sector Make information easily available and

accessible to research and academia Provided information on demand to:

research scientists, lecturers, research managers, policy managers and students


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Stakeholders

Creators, generators and users of agricultural-related information

Research scientists, lecturers, research managers, policy managers, students, extension agents and farmers

Coordinating Centre as totality of network/not dedicated resources Information and communication policy not embedded Information not a priority Lack of investment in information activities Inadequate institutional support/lack of institutional commitment Lack of information sharing culture Output of Scientists not known

International Partners: CTA, FAO, IICD, KIT Investment in information activities

Improvement in ICT, training, information resources Not sustainable – network thrives when funding available Need to have ICM policy embedded in institutions


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Information and Communication Management Policy

Establishment of a national AGRIS network in Ghana and development of institutional repositories under the first phase of a pilot project – Ghana AGRIS Pilot Project – 2007 – 2010

Develop institutional policies and strategies for information and communication management (ICM)

Consultant to review and analyze existing institutional ICM policies and strategies in the seven pilot institutions in January 2008.

The Consultancy report showed clearly that all the pilot institutions needed functional ICM policies and strategies to effectively manage their information resources.

Recommended developing or updating the institutions’ ICM policies and strategies.


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Information and Communication Management Policy, cont.

Technical support to pilot institutions to update or develop their institutional ICM policies and strategies

In line with the overall institutional strategies and relevant national policies and strategies, i.e. Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) policy of 2003

Ghana ICTs in Agriculture Implementation Strategy, and in line with emerging issues of Open Access and management and archiving of electronic information resources

Write-shops held between February and March 2008 to draft ICM policies and strategies for College of Agriculture Education, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and the CSIR


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GHASTIS

As part of the efforts to provide access to agricultural sciences and technology information generated in Ghana, stakeholders recently agreed to establish a Ghana Agricultural Sciences and Technology Information Service (GHASTIS) within a diversified GAINS

Participating institutions will contribute their metadata, selected documents, news, events, profiles of staff, etc, for access on GHASTIS portal.

GHASTIS portal is to be launched on 15th January 2009


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Conclusion

Development of the policy – collective responsibility

Implementation strategies being developed

Finalization and Launch in September 2008

Information may not be personalized in Directors

Investment in information activities Information sharing


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Thank you