www.atpsnet.org
Issue No 0007

December 2016

ISBN 978-9966-030-90-0

AFRICAThis is the official newsletter of the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)

Scientometrics and STI Indicators as an Option for
Improving Science and Technology Development in Africa
ATPS Conducts Training for Farmers and Extension Agentsin Kenya on the Use of the LandInfo Mobile App
The Only Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude

African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS Vision:
To become the leading international centre of excellence and reference in science, technology andinnovation systems research, training and capacity building, communication and sensitization, knowledge
brokerage, policy advocacy and outreach in Africa.
ATPS Mission:
To improve the quality of science, technology and innovation systems research and policy making in
Africa by strengthening capacity for science and technology knowledge generation, communication anddissemination, use and mastery for sustainable development in Africa.
Overall Objective:
To develop Africa’s STI capacity (knowledge basis & infrastructure, knowledge circulation & networks,
knowledge conditions & policies) today for sustainable African development tomorrow.
ATPS Motto:
Building Africa’s capabilities in science, technology and innovation policy research, policymaking andpolicy implementation for sustainable development.

INSIDE• Scientometrics and STI Indicators as an Option for
Improving Science and Technology Development in Africa• African Development Bank’s Appraisal Mission at the ATPS
• ATPS Staff Participate in the Capacity Development Training
for Utilizing the AFAAS Virtual Social Network Platform• NEPAD Engages ATPS Experts in the Implementation of the
Science Granting Councils’ Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa• Emergence of Inclusive Partnership for Strategic Action in
Agro-Food Chains: Changes Realized in Cassava and Soya
Value Chain in Ghana• ATPS Conducts Training for Farmers and Extension Agentsin Kenya on the Use of the LandInfo Mobile App.
• The Only Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude• Soil Carbon Loss Mitigation: A Tool for Forest Conservation
and Climate Change Mitigation• ATPS Participates in the CAAST-NET Plus Workshop for Early
Career African Climate Academics• Grants Received by the ATPS during the Quarter• New Appointments• Scholarships/Opportunities

EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor in Chief:
Dr. Nicholas Ozor
Editor:Sharon Anyango
Contributors:
Dr. Nicholas Ozor
Dr. Ernest Acheampong
Dr. Alexander Nuer
Prof. Sylvestor Ndeso Atanga
Prof. Liesbeth Dries
Prof. Stefano Pascucci
Yussuf Utieyineshola
Kum Christian
Teresa Werrhe
Sharon Anyango
Design and Layout:
Sharon Anyango2www.atpsnet.org

Chairman’s message

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

T

here is no doubt that many of thetransformations in the world today are being
realized through the application of Science,
Technology and Innovation (STI) in key
sectors of the economy in most countries. Africancountries are not left out. They are harnessing STI as
one of the greatest potentials for addressing the key
societal challenges on the continent including foodinsecurity, poverty, climate change, energy crisis,
unemployment, and other social ills.
More than 60% of African countries have increased
their investments in research while some still lag
behind by investing less than 0.5% of their GDP in
research which is less than 1% of the agreed target
set by the African Union since the Lagos Plan of Actionin 1980 which outlined the fundamental role of STI
Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak
and the allocation of 1% of Nation’s GDP to researchand development (R&D). This is a wake up call for new strategic plan for 2017-2022. In the next five
African governments to prioritize research and start years, we plan to make even greater impacts throughinvesting their capital towards this noble cause.
our interventions on the key African development
challenges including poverty, unemployment, hunger
As the year comes to an end, my main message is and starvation, diseases, climate change, and energy
gratitude. It has been a great year full of rewards and crisis among others. We pledge as always to deliver
challenges. This is the fourth year since the launch of value for money and exceed all the expectations fromATPS Phase VII Strategic Plan (2013-2018) which aims our interventions.
to improve the understanding and functioning of STI
policy research and policy making processes and I thank my fellow board members for their hard work
systems to strengthen capabilities, social responses, and teamwork towards the accomplishment of ourand governance of STI-led sustainable development vision statement, and also to Dr. Nicholas Ozor andin Africa. We have continued to implement the his team for their doggedness and determination
plan and this year we made remarkable strides. For to uplift ATPS to higher status. I also appreciate all
instance, in July, we held our Stakeholders’ Forum those who have supported ATPS this year throughto review the current plan and align it with Science, development grants, linkages, partnerships andTechnology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA other collaborative activities namely: the JRS2024) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Technical(SDGs) so as to serve our numerous stakeholders’ Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA/
better. This effort is leading to the development of Netherlands), Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary
the ATPS Phase VIII Strategic Plan for 2017-2022.
Medicines (GALVmed), Association of African
Universities (AAU), the African Union Commission
In the proposed new plan, ATPS will adopt a sector (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), thefocused strategic approach with key focus in African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Pevans
Agriculture; Food and Nutrition; Health; Energy; and East Africa, United States Department of AgricultureClimate Change, and Environmental Management. Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), African
The target is to keep pace with developments in Climate Change Fellowship Program (ACCFP), African
new disruptive technologies and leverage the use Forum for Agricultural Services (AFAAS), Africanof mobile phones, internet and other modular Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Commercial
technologies whose adoption will take advantage of Bank of Africa Limited (CBA), and Ford Foundation.
costs. We will launch the new strategic plan during
the first quarter of next year 2017.
We look forward to working with you again. Merry
Christmas and a Prosperous 2017
I take this opportunity on behalf of the Board of
Directors and Management of the ATPS to appeal
to our numerous donors, development partners, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, PhD, FKIM, FAAS FASI,FTWAS,MBS
Director, Division for Africa, Department of Technical Coop.
regional and national governments and especiallyInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Vienna, Austria
the private sector actors to support and fund ourChair, ATPS Board of Directors
3

www.atpsnet.org

ED’s Message

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

S

cience, Technology and Innovation (STI) is
and will remain the core driver of major
developmental advances in many countries
for many years to come. African countries
therefore have no choice but to embrace anddeploy it as the engine of growth for their socioeconomic developments. This can only happen when
governments invest significantly in research anddevelopment (R&D) as already prescribed by theAfrican Union. Unfortunately, 37 years since after thisprescription of 1% of country’s GDP to be allocatedto R&D (Lagos Plan of Action, 1980), countries still
fail to implement this investment agreement. The
question then is: Why have countries failed to realize
this target? What are the underlying reasons why
countries are not meeting this target? Is it a failed
agreement? Were countries not actually prepared
for it and just moved in a bandwagon direction? How
has the African Union effected compliance to thisagreement so far? These and more questions remain
the unanswered questions that need to be addressed
if Africa is to truly take stock and move forward in
the right direction towards increasing investments in
R&D.

Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS Executive Director
mobile app. The project was supported by the African
Forum for Agricultural Advisory Service (AFAAS).

The African Technology Policy Studies Network(ATPS) will in the next year 2017, seek funding
assistance to undertake research to understand why
African governments have not been able to realize
this feat, discuss with critical key stakeholders ofgovernments, and design innovative approaches thatwill enable governments at country levels to increase
their investments in R&D. We recognize the crucial
roles that the private sector will play in order torealize this objective, but it is only a conducive policy
environment that can spur their engagements andparticipation.

We are in the final stages of producing our Phase
VIII ATPS Strategic Plan for 2017-2022 which will
be launched during the first quarter of 2017.
We are optimistic that following our widespread
consultations, stakeholders’ dialogues and expert
opinions, the new strategic plan will enable us achieve
our core objective of building Africa’s capabilitiesin science, technology and innovation research,
policy and practice for sustainable developmenton the continent. We kindly request for support
from donors, development partners, governments,
and the private sector to enable us implement thenumerous activities lined up in the plan.

Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. This is
my message as we say goodbye to 2016 and welcome
2017. It has been a great year full of accolades andsupport despite the challenges we have faced as anorganization.

As we plan to start a new year, I encourage all ATPS
National Chapter Coordinators to be vocal and work
towards strengthening their chapters to contribute
more significantly in uplifting the ATPS. I take thisopportunity to sincerely thank all those who havesupported us in 2016 through development grants,
linkages, partnerships and other collaborative
activities. We will surely have the opportunity towork better together in the coming new year 2017.

At the beginning of the year, the 2015 Global Go
To Think Tank Index Report was released and ATPS
emerged as the best Think Tank in Africa (getting
the highest number of rankings as well as ranking
first in more categories) under the Think Tank andCivil Societies Program (TTCSP) of the University ofPennsylvania, USA. ATPS also received the prestigious
Climate Information Prize Award 2016 for promoting
the adoption of our LandInfo mobile app technology
in Africa. During this quarter, we conducted a capacity
building training for farmers and extension agentsin Meru County, Kenya on the use of the LandInfo

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2017!
Dr. Nicholas Ozor
Executive Director, ATPS4

www.atpsnet.org

STI Indicators

SCIENTOMETRICS AND STI INDICATORS AS AN
OPTION FOR IMPROVING SCIENCE ANDTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Photo: Mail & Guardiandevelopment cannot be determined if it is notmeasureable. Scientometric indicator is one of themost efficient and objective methods of assessing
research and innovation performance. Scientometricanalysis is the quantitative study of the innovation
system based mainly on bibliometric and patentindicators.

By Yussuf Utieyineshola
Senior Research Officer
National Centre for Technology Management(NACATEM) Abuja, Nigeria.
arious reports have pointed out on thecritical role that Science, Technology andInnovation (STI) plays in development.
The 2005 World Summit in its outcome
document titled, “Science and Technology for
Development” emphasized on the need to build STI
systems for emplacing sustainable development.

V

In bibliometrics, the number of publications in a field
is considered as an indicator of research activity whilein patent analysis the number of patents awarded to
an institution or a country is used as an indicator oftechnological activity.

Similar to this report were the UN Commission on
Science and Technology for Development Report(2004) which sought to identify approaches for theeffective promotion and the use of science andtechnology to meet development goals; the WorldBank report of 2003 titled, “Strategic Approaches
to Science and Technology in Development” whichsuggested that development will not be possible
without science and technology. Furthermore, The
UN Millennium Project 2005 tagged, “Innovation:
Applying Knowledge in Development” also positedthat developing countries must have the courage to
break with traditional approaches and explore therole of STI in their development strategies.

Patent indicators within the Science andTechnology (S&T) context are used to measure
inventive performance, diffusion of knowledge andinternationalization of innovative activities acrosscountries, firms, industries, technology areas, etc.
The philosophy underlying the use of bibliometricindicators as performance measures has beensummarized in De Solla Price’s statement that“for those who are working at the research front,
publication is not just an indicator but, in a very strong
sense, the end product of their creative effort”.
Statistics on the world share of publications bydifferent regions show that Africa produced only

Incidentally, the contributory role of STI to5

www.atpsnet.org

STI Indicators

Photo: press.bmwgroup.com
about 68,945 publications between the periods of
2000-2004 which is 1.8% of the World’s publications.
India (Asia) produced 2.4% and Latin America 3.5% of
the World’s research publications.

must ensure that proper documentation of their S&T
activities are monitored and evaluated. They mustalso realize that publishing and patenting scientificpapers or results is not enough but that ranking of
their scientific publications, which is a component
Research in Africa is concentrated mainly in two of STI Indicator, will only be recognised if they arecountries; South Africa and Egypt. These two well indexed and recognized in global databases
countries produced just above 50% of the Continent’s such as; S&T Data Centre of UNESCO Institute forpublications. Examination of the Continent’s Statistics (www.uis.unesco.org/ScienceTechnology/);inventive profile, as manifested in patents, indicates OECD Science, Technology and R&D Statistics
that Africa produces less than one thousand of the (http://www.oecd.org/sti/); Agricultural Science andworld’s inventions. About 88% of the Continent’s Technology Indicators (ASTI) (www.asti.cgiar.org);
inventive activity is concentrated in South Africa.
African Science, Technology & Innovation Indicators
Initiative (ASTII) (http://www.nepadst.org/astii/
Monitoring and evaluating the various facets of the index.shtml); or in web-based S&T indicators like;scientific sector is a necessary and integral tool needed
Webometrics Ranking of World Universities (http://
for STI policy to deliver its role to the development of
www.webometrics.info); and the WISER Project (Webany society. African leaders and policy makers must
Indicators for Science, Technology and Innovation
appreciate the need for encouraging and supporting
Research) (http://www. wiserweb.org and http://
its institutions saddled with the responsibility of
www.webindicators.org).
monitoring the performance of STI through identified
indicators as practiced in the developed countries.
They must be made to realize that STI indicators
have become essential tools for assessing knowledge
capacity in a country or region and as evidence forsetting policy actions.
In order to project African countries to the top tablein terms of scientific and technological development,
researchers from various countries in the continent6www.atpsnet.org

Afdb

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK’S APPRAISALMISSION AT THE ATPS

The AfDB team conducted its appraisal mission at the ATPS on the proposed project, “Bridging Climate
Information Gaps to Strenghen Capacities for Climate Informed Decision- Making in Africa.” From Left: Mr.
Sam Sakwa (AfDB), Mr. Patrick Owouri (AfDB), Dr. Ernest Acheampong (ATPS), Mr. Solomon Ngoze (AfDB),
Mrs. Teresa Werrhe (ATPS), Dr. Nicholas Ozor (ATPS), Mr. Onesmus Maina (AfDB) and Mr. Dennis Wafula(ATPS).
By Teresa Werrhehe African Development Bank (AfDB) carried project under the Climate Development Special Fundout an appraisal mission at the ATPS on (CDSF) grant which was awarded to the ATPS. The
its proposed project, “Bridging Climate proposed project seeks to reduce vulnerability andInformation Gaps to Strengthen Capacities foster a food secure Africa through strengthening
for Climate Informed Decision-Making in Africa” from African countries capabilities to understand and9-14 December 2016 at the ATPS office in Chancery deploy appropriate climate information andbest practices to inform decision making andBuilding, Valley Road.
support development planning. The project will be
The bank’s appraisal mission team was led by Mr. implemented in partnership with other organizations
Onesmus W. Maina- Senior Agricultural Expert, including; the Stockholm Environment Institute
EARC/OSAN. Others in his team were: Mr. Patrick (SEI) Africa Centre; the IGAD Climate Prediction andOwuori- Senior Procurement Specialist, Mr. Sam Applications Center (ICPAC); the Observatoire du
Sakwa- Consultant Financial Management Specialist Sahara et du Sahel (OSS); the AGRHYMET Regionaland Mr. Solomon Ngonze- Consultant Climate Change Centre (ARC); and the Regional Centre for Mapping
Resource for Development (RCMRD). The ATPS leads
Specialist CDSF/OSAN.
this consortium of partners in the implementation of
The ATPS team was led by the Executive Director, the project.
Dr. Nicholas Ozor, Dr. Ernest Acheampong- ProjectManager, Mr. Dennis Wafula-Finance Manager, The appraisal mission ended up with a wrap
Mr. Hillary Ragen- M&E Specialist and Mrs. Teresa up meeting on 14th December 2016 and it waschaired by Dr. Ozor. The findings, conclusions andWerrhe- Procurement Specialist.
recommendations made during the meeting were
The objective of the mission was to finalize documented in an Aide Memoire which was signed
discussions on technical, financial and procurement by both parties.
arrangements between the bank and the ATPS
management regarding the funding of an ATPS

T

7

www.atpsnet.org

VSNP

ATPS STAFF PARTICIPATE IN THE CAPACITYDEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR UTILIZING THE AFAAS
VIRTUAL SOCIAL NETWORK PLATFORM (VSNP)

From Left Standing: Mr. Raymond Mumo (ATPS), Ms. Sharon Anyango (ATPS) and other participants during
the Virtual Social Network Platform Training held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya from 8-9 November
2016.

T

By Sharon Anyango
KeFAAS is affiliated to the Africa Forum for Agriculture Advisory Services (AFAAS), the umbrella network organization for Agricultural Advisory Services(AAS in Africa). AFAAS main objective is to create
an efficient, effective and synergistic linkages andpartnerships between AAS of member countries toimprove the delivery of services to farmers.

he Kenyan Forum for Agricultural Advisory
Services (KeFAAS) held its first training on
the Virtual Social Network Platform (VSNP)
from 8th – 9th November 2016 at the Ministry of Agriculture Office, Committee Boardroom.
The aim of the training was to capacity build its
members on the AFAAS Virtual Platform in order tomanage national virtual marketplaces for information and services. ATPS was represented by Ms.
Sharon Anyango and Mr. Raymond Mumo from thedepartment of Communications and IT respectively.

ATPS received a seed grant from the AFAAS to build
the capacity of extension agents in Meru County,
Kenya on the use of the LandInfo mobile app technology which the ATPS is out-scaling across Africa.
LandInfo app enables farmers to determine thepotential of soil at point-given locations and produce weather information that will enable farmers
to determine the potential of soils at point-given
locations and produce weather information that will
enable farmers take optimal farm decisions basedon the soil and climatic information that the app
provides.

The AFAAS Virtual Platform is a mobile and web
based network that brings together agriculturaladvisory service agents and other stakeholders tocollaborate, ask each other questions, solve problems and pursue new projects in the field of agriculture. Membership to the AFAAS Virtual Platform isby registration and is free of charge.
8

www.atpsnet.org

Science Granting Councils

NEPAD ENGAGES ATPS EXPERTS IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCIENCE GRANTINGCOUNCILS’ INITIATIVE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Participants at the Regional Science Granting
Councils Initiatiave Workshop held in Harare,
Zimbabwe from 1-4 November 2016.
By Dr. Nicholas Ozor

Participants at the Regional Science Granting
Councils Initiatiave Workshop held in Kampala,
Uganda from 6-10 December 2016.
parts to implement these training programmes
in three regions of Africa namely: Harare for theSouthern African countries; Senegal for the West
African countries; and Uganda for the East Africancountries. In all these training programmes, delegates drawn from the different countries’ in the
Science Granting Councils’ are trained on how todevelop, collect, analyse and disseminate indicators
relevant to STI policy and associated instruments.
Most specifically, the training programme enablesdelegates to:
1. Understand their own STI policy, legal framework,
policy instruments and mixes
2. Collect and store disaggregated datasets on R&D
and Innovation that address national STI policies
and strategies
3. Describe and process (analysis) datasets on R&D
and Innovation at the institutional level
4. Develop data analysis products (Reports andPolicy Briefs) and use the same as advocacy tools
for increased R&D investment by national governments
The five year project is jointly funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) -Canada, the British Department for International Development (DFID) -United Kingdom, and the National
Research Foundation (NRF) -South Africa.
Discussions are also being concluded to engage the
ATPS to lead in the implementation of theme 4 of
the SGCI aimed at building partnerships and networks among science granting councils and otherscience system actors in sub-Saharan Africa.

T

he New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency has engaged the services of the ATPS experts in the implementation of their activities under the Science
Granting Councils’ Initiative (SGCI) for sub-SaharanAfrica. The Science Granting Councils’ Initiative(SGCI) is an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystems by enhancing the capacities
of Science Granting Councils’ (SGCs) to effectively:
manage research (theme 1); design and monitor
research programmes, and to formulate and implement policies based on the use of robust science,technology and innovation (STI) indicators (theme2); support knowledge exchange within an STI system (theme 3); and establish partnerships with allactors in a science and technology system (theme
4). Councils that are effectively managed and connected with multiple actors, at scale, will strengthen
national science systems to deliver on Africa’s transformative agenda.
NEPAD is leading the implementation of the SGCI
theme 2 and ATPS is providing training support
on the status of STI policy in Africa, STI policy instruments and policy mixes and its importance inachieving effective and efficient public policy inAfrican countries.
During the months of November and December,
the ATPS experts led by the Executive Director, Dr.
Nicholas Ozor and the ATPS Senior Researcher, Dr.
Ernest Acheampong joined their NEPAD counter9

www.atpsnet.org

Value Chain

EMERGENCE OF INCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP FOR STRATEGICACTION IN AGRO-FOOD CHAINS: CHANGES REALIZED INCASSAVA AND SOYA VALUE CHAINS IN GHANA

By Dr. Alexander Nuer, Prof. Liesbeth Dries andProf. Stefano Pascucci

Inclusive partnership for development initiatives
have become new businesses and innovation
pathways that many researchers, donors, governments, non-governmental organizations, aswell as communities in developing economies seek
to rely on to improve livelihoods across many agrofood chains.
There are many undocumented, as well as unexplored studies to showcase changes that have or
could emerge from initiatives that subscribe to theadoption and use of this type of initiative across
many developing countries agro-food value chains.
Ghana has adopted and used inclusive partnershipvalue chains approach to create participatory platforms that ensure that all actors benefit and participate in inclusive decision making processes.
Inclusive value chains refers to the creation of
avenues such as platforms and collaborative arenas
that ensure strategic actors within and along specificagricultural commodity chains identify challenges,
share knowledge and expertise, whilst equitably
contribute to ensure the viability as well as the sus

tainability of value chains they are associated with.
We conducted two studies on the inclusive partnerships initiatives which were formed between 2014
and 2016; the 2scale partnership and the Dissemination of New Agriculture Technologies in Africa (DONATA) Cassava Partnership.
The 2scale partnership was initiated by the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) to scale
up activities initiated in Northern Ghana; our focus
was on the soya value chain which aims to improve
the production, governance, market access and create a platform that can be shared by various people
along the value chain.
The outcome of the study was that the partnership had led to the establishment of farmer basedorganisations such as co-operatives; a marketingcompany was formed to directly purchase and prefinance cultivation of soya crops. Financial service
providers such as banks also joined the value chain
to provide financial incentives and inter mediationsuch as loans to farmers and buyers along the chain.
The DONATA partnership initiative was established10

www.atpsnet.org

Value Chain

Photo: CIATin 2011 to help bring about innovative ways thatwould help improve income level of smallholder cassava farmers, as well as processors and marketers
through the transfer, sharing and dissemination of
improved agriculture technologies along the cassava value chain within the Wenchi municipality in
Ghana. DONATA had three priority entry points into
the cassava value chain namely; to improve cassava
varieties and enhance soil fertility management, toadvocate for the use of herbicides to control perennial weeds in cassava (on farm) and cassava productdevelopment and market access.
DONATA established Innovation Platforms (IPs)which connect value chain actors to transfer, share
as well as disseminate improved technologies andindigenous knowledge along the cassava value chain
in the pilot communities.

known improved cassava varieties, Bankyehemaa
and IFAD, with a yield of twelve to sixteen tons per
hector (12-16 t/ha). Cassava farmers received a net
profit of an average of UD$80.00/ha, as against apreviously lower yield of about 5-9t/ha during theexperimental period. The IPs have bridged the gap
between identified actors and established a strong
information sharing platform along the cassava
value chain.
It is evident from the two studies that inclusive partnership initiatives ensure strategic actors’ bridge
identified gaps within value chains they are associated with. Innovation mechanisms such as innovation platforms ensure that information, knowledge
as well as core competencies are equitably shared
among actors along and within identified value
chains.

The IPs have led to the cultivation of two locally
Dr. Alexander Nuer is the lead consultant at Alamnyaki Social Venturing Initiative. Liesbeth Dries works
as an Associate Professor in Wageningen University and Research, Agriculture Economics and Rural
Policy Group, Netherlands while Stefano Pascucci is the Agriculture and New Institutional Economics
Professor at University of Exeter Business School, United Kingdom.
11

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS CONDUCTS TRAINING FOR FARMERS AND
EXTENSION AGENTS IN KENYA ON THE USE OF
LANDINFO APP

LandInfo App

ATPS conducted its LandInfo App training workshop for farmers and extension officers on the use of the
LandInfo mobile app in Nkubu, Meru County from 15th-16th December 2016 at Kaguru Agricultural Training
Centre.
By Dr. Ernest Acheampong and Sharon Anyango
the extension agents, he informed them that the
TPS in partnership with the African Forumapp will help them in providing soil and climaticfor Agricultural Services (AFAAS) coninformation for their farmers. On the other hand, he
ducted the LandInfo mobile app training
for 50 farmers and extension officers at the assured farmers that the app will enable them takeappropriate and evidence-based decision on their
Kaguru Agricultural Training Centre in Nkubu, Meru
County from 15th-16th December 2016. Participants farm work based on the climatic and soil information that the app provides at point-given locations
were drawn from Igembe South, Igembe North,almost instantaneously. He further urged them toIgembe Central, Tigania West and Tigania East sub
advocate for the use of the app through the multicounties.
plier effect to other farmers and extension agents in
the County and country as a whole.
The objective of the training was to build the capacity of farmers and extension agents on the use
and application of the trendsetting LandInfo mobile
app for enhancing agricultural production, land-use
management and climate change resilience.

A

Mr. Dunstan Kaburu, Deputy County Director Department of Agriculture officially opened the two
day training workshop. He expressed confidence
that farmers in Meru County will benefit from theapp and it will help boost their agricultural harvests.
He also thanked the ATPS team for prioritizing Meru
County to be among the first Counties that havebenefited from the LandInfo app training.
Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS Executive Director expressedjoy at the number of participants who had turned
up for the training and assured them that they will
benefit immensely from the training program. For

Dr. Ernest Acheampong doing his powerpoint
presentation about the LandInfo app .
12

www.atpsnet.org

LandInfo App

Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS Executive Director digs a pit to be used for the LandInfo App
demonstrations at the field.
The workshop was divided into two sections: presentations from the ATPS team and field demonstrations on the use of the LandInfo mobile app. Dr.
Ozor introduced the app and its potentials to participants who admitted that it was their first timeto hear about the app. He informed them that the
LandInfo mobile app is a community-driven app that
produces accurate soil and climatic information thatempowers farmers, extension agents, and land use
planners in decision making regarding agricultural
production, land use management and climate resilience. Dr. Ernest Acheampong on the other handguided participants through the field demonstrations and showed them how to use the app withassistance from the ATPS team.

The app has recorded a continuous rise in adoption
rate by target beneficiaries ever since its launch in2013 as a result of ATPS’s innovative approach indisseminating and promoting the adoption of thetechnology.
The app has been successfully used in Samburu
County, Baringo County, Kisumu County andits associated conservancies with initial focus
identifying and prioritizing areas for restorationof perennial grasses and monitoring of livestock
and wildlife while in Namibia the Ministry of Lands
focused on resettlement with initial focus being
undertaking livestock carrying capacity on land plus
the crop production potential of resettlement areas.

The app enables farmers and extension agents todeepen their knowledge on the biophysicalcharacteristics of soils, users are able to target investments on land for specific purposes such as crop
choices for specific soils, with knowledge on annual average rainfall and temperature, farmers areable to plan their farming enterprises adequately
to avoid losses due to climate variability and hence
improve agricultural productivity and climate change
resilience.
Policy makers can aggregate data across larger areas
without losing key pieces of information such aspresence of small, highly productive or vulnerablesites within the region. The app also allows users to
instantaneously access the best available information and interpret it in the context of the local socioeconomic conditions and local values including crop
preferences.

Participants write down short notes about the LandInfo app during the classroom session.

13

www.atpsnet.org

Disability

THE ONLY DISABILITY IN LIFE IS A BAD ATTITUDE
His mother was accused of being unfaithful for having a different child from others. Mr. Mwaura went
to a special school and always topped in his class, he
was a student leader who represented special needs
students at the Kenyatta University where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Special Education
and French. Today, Mr. Mwaura is happily married to
Nelious Mukami Mwaura, he once admitted that hehad challenges dating because of his condition. He
has used his elective role to support persons livingwith albinism by establishing a government programwith an allocation of Ksh.100 million annually tosupport albinos by giving them free sunscreen lotions, protective clothing, skin cancer treatment andeye care services each month. It is because of his efforts in this direction that contributed to the hostingof the world’s first albino beauty pageants in Kenya
aimed at raising their self-esteem.

Mr. Nick Vujicic, an Austratian motivation speaker
who was born without limbs. He is able to perform
normal duties like any other person despite his
disability.

D

By Sharon Anyango
isability is not inability is a popular saying among gender proponents. Persons
with disabilities have for a long time been
marginalized by the society with no one
or very few individuals ready to speak up for theirrights. Most institutional facilities do not cater for
their needs: there are no special stairs, lifts or toilets
especially for those who use wheelchairs, and using
public transport is also a menace in most parts ofAfrica.
When it comes to information dissemination, thedeaf were always left out, it is until recently thatmedia stations in Kenya were ordered to have a signinterpreter so that the deaf can also access information. Churches too are embracing this technique,there is always a sign interpreter who communicatesto the deaf sited inside the congregation.
Most persons with disabilities live in a vicious cycleof poverty due to stigmatization, limited education
opportunities and lack of economic opportunities.
Families tend to shy away from relatives with disability. Some are locked up in their own rooms andfed through the window while some families see thedisabled as a business opportunity and send themout to the streets to beg for money, but for how
long will they beg?
Many have not let their disability hinder their successes in life despite the hurdles they have faced.
Nominated Kenyan MP, Isaac Mwaura was born withalbinism, his father abandoned them when he wasborn because he was considered as a misfortune.

Second from Right Sitted: Mr. Isaac Mwaura,
Nominated Senator with some of persons living withalbinism at his office in Nairobi.
Mr. Nick Vujicic, an Australian motivation speaker
was born without limbs due to a rare congenitalcondition known as tetra- Amelia syndrome. His father ran out and vomited when he was born and his
mother did not hold him until he was four months
old. Growing up as a person with disability was noteasy just like any other disabled child who has faced
stigmatization, he was bullied and felt inferior, andat one point he had suicidal thoughts to drown himself in their bathtub at home. He would often ask
God Why me? Nick has accepted his condition andtoday he travels around the world giving motivational talks. He performs his duties normally as others
and he can swim and surf using a surfboard.

Little has been done to help persons with disabilities
in their daily challenges especially in this part of theworld (Africa).
14

www.atpsnet.org
Mr. Peter Mbiria, a former student at the Technical
University of Kenya invented an E-Con wheelchair
to help those who depend on the wheelchair to beable to move on their own and support themselvesin their daily activities like standing up and picking something on the shelve. Ms. Florence, Peter’sfriend introduced him to her friend the late teacher
Wairimu who was suffering from arthritis. The
disease took toll of her legs until she began using
crutches and eventually the manual wheelchair.
Peter used to visit her often and he could observe
how she was struggling to do the things she used to
do effortlessly on a daily basis. Independence andhappiness slowly siphoned out from her life.
“I embarked on an online search on the available
powered wheelchairs that would be a solution to
her problem. I couldn’t find one wheelchair withthe ability to do almost everything like tackle stairs,
move on a smooth terrain as well as a rugged terrain, and enable the user to stand. The ones that
had more features were very expensive and not
locally available,” says Peter.

Innovation
This led to the birth of the E-Con wheelchair. He did
it secretly since he wanted it to be a surprise only toreceive news of her demise in 2012. Peter is among
the few innovators who have focused on solving the
problems faced by persons living with disabilities.
The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003 in the Kenyan constitution led to the creation of the National
Council of Persons with Disabilities as a statutoryorgan to oversee the welfare of persons with disabilities. The Council endeavors to secure the reservation of five percent of all casual, emergency andcontractual positions in employment in the public
and private sector to persons with disabilities. Other
countries in Africa should learn from this initiativeand support persons living with disabilities.
Learning institutions should take into account the
special needs for persons living with disabilities andmore special schools and institutions especially forthe deaf should be established to cater for formal
education, skills development and self- reliance.

The Inventor of E-Con Wheelchair also Designed the Linda Nchi
(Protect the Country) Robot to be Able to Secure an Admission into
the University.

Mr. Peter Mbiria, developed the E-Con wheelchair to help persons with disabilities who mainly depend on
the manual wheelchair to be able to conduct their duties freely without assistance from a second party.
The E-Con wheelchair has received global accolade as Mr. Mbiria was among the 16 shortlisted candidates in Africa during the Africa Prize of Engineering Innovation by the Royal Academy of Engineeringin London. The award aims to encourage ambitious and talented engineers from all disciplines to apply
their skills to develop scalable solutions to local challenges. Mr. Mbiria currently works at IBM Research
Africa as a Hardware Engineer.

15

www.atpsnet.org

Interview
system maintains the seat‘s level at all times whiletackling stairs or rugged terrain and it can berecharged with normal power supply. Its back up
battery system does not increase its weight. The user
also has minimal control as most of the functions aretaken care of by the on board computer system andit can also be used by the illiterate.
5. What are the disadvantages of the E-Con
wheelchair?
It is complicated both mechanical and electrical wise,
it runs on a Li-ion battery which means if the user
does not follow the manual properly, they may end
up stuck away from their homes, it does not havea manual way to move like in the case of manual
wheelchairs. It is heavier and bigger than a manual
wheel chair and it can be a challenge to use public
transport.

Barry Shoop (Left), President Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineer (IEE) congratulates Peter
Mbiria (Right) for his innovative work.

Interview with Mr. Peter Mbiria

1. What is the E-Con Wheelchair?
E-con wheelchair is an electric convertible wheelchair that enables the user (physically challenged
person) to be very comfortable and happy in conducting his or her daily business.
2. What is the niche that you identified that led tothe invention of the E-Con wheelchair?
I had a friend Ms Florence who introduced me toher friend the late teacher Wairimu in 2011 who
was suffering from arthritis. The disease forced her
to use crutches and eventually the manual chair
which gave her enormous difficulty to move fromone place to another. I began an online searchon the available powered wheelchair to solve her
problem, I could not find a wheelchair which had
the ability to tackle stairs, enable the user to standalone as well as give them the ability to do physiotherapy. This led to my journey to the constructionof the E-con wheelchair in 2011. Unfortunately, I
received news about her demise in 2012.
3. How does the E-Con wheelchair work?
E-Con wheelchair uses powered tri-wheels insteadof single wheels. It has a flexible chassis that enables it to twist when tackling rugged terrain and an
automatic balancing system that enables the seat toremain level at all times. It can also steer on all four
sets of tri-wheels and turn at a point to enable theuser stand (there are straps for the waist and for theknees).
4. What are the advantages of the E-Con wheelchair?
It enables the user to be very mobile on smooth andrough terrain, the user can stand and still operate it
in a standing position and reach out for something ona shelf or write on a board. Its automatic balancing

6. Does it use solar or electricity? Please explain
further
It uses Li-ion battery. At the beginning while doing myresearch, I had considered using solar and a battery
but the disadvantages were unbearable. Solar cells
require huge surface area, which I do not have on my
E-Con wheelchair so I removed that option.
7. How long did it take you to come up with theinnovation and what are the challenges you have
faced along the way?
It took me roughly two years just to do numerous
designs and research, and 6 months to make the firstsmall scale model. The main challenge was finances,most of the parts 89% I had to fabricate on my own
since they are unique by design and size. Since I was
still a student back then, I had to do degree projects
for other students just to raise money.
8. What are the key components of the E-Con
wheelchair?
It has numerous parts but the key ones are brushless
motors, servos, batteries, controllers, onboard CPU
for automation purposes, sensors for onboard control
and for mapping (Advanced E-Con version), very
simple user interface, gears, shafts, universal joints,
drive belts, steering rods, straps and a lot more.
9. Congratulations for being selected among the
16th shortlists in Africa during the Africa Prize ofEngineering Innovation by the Royal Academy ofEngineering in London. What is the competition
about?
The competition is about growing innovations in
Africa so that we can develop custom solutions for16

www.atpsnet.org
challenges we face as Africa, besides coming up with
innovations, jobs will be created and economies will
begin to grow.

Interview

10. How was the experience and what are the major
lessons you learnt?
It was my first time to be on a plane heading outside
Kenya and Africa in general. Many at times people
told me there are many innovations I could focus onand not this one because they thought the market islimited. I was not primarily after money but after thehappiness of physically challenged persons, being
in London was just the first of many opportunities I
have received, we learnt a lot about business models
of our innovations, tips and tricks on how to pitch toinvestors and how to gain trust with customers.
11. What are your future plans with the E-Con
wheelchair?
I am currently sourcing for funds to begin working
on a full scale version of the E-con wheelchair before
releasing it to the market

The Linda Nchi (Protect the Country) robot invented
by Peter Mbiria in order to secure an admission to
the University.
12. Have you patent your innovation?
12. What is the progress made so far with Linda Nchi
Yes, I filed the patent in 2015 and I am yet to finish (Protect the Country) robot?
with the process.
I have not made much progress with that innovation
since its original goal, securing an admission to the
13. You also invented the unmaned surveillance university and getting publicity through it was met.
robot system popularly known as Linda Nchi
(Protect the Country). What was the main reason 13. What is your message to upcoming innovators?
for the robot?
Put God first, seek His wisdom and you will be
I made the semi transforming vehicle in 2011 to amazed. Focus on what you love and be a master inconvince universities that I was fit to do electronics it, explore more fields but keep your passion as theengineering. I did my first KCSE in 2009 and I got C backbone. Do not chase money, chase your passion
plain, I went to several universities but I was rejected and money will chase and catch up with you.
due to my grade. I went back to my previous highschool and repeated form 4. I did my best and got 14. Your favourite quote?
C+. I went back to the same universities and I was
rejected again which was very painful.
I will be the best I can be.
I was studying my bible when I came across Mathew
7:7 “ask, seek and knock” it says knock and it shall be
opened, this gave assurance and it dawned on me
that I had to do something with my skills. It took me 6
months to create the robotic car model. I did not havea computer to do designs hence I would do all thesimulations in my head and then transfer them on asheet of iron where I would cut, fold, solder and test
without giving up. I took it to the Technical Universityof Kenya where they were really impressed and thatis how I secured admission to pursue a diploma inelectrical and electronics engineering.

15. Any support you require for the E-Con
wheelchair?
I am seeking for financial support from people ofgood will. I have started purchasing tools and partsof the E-Con wheelchair with what I have, and any
help will be greatly appreciated.

17

www.atpsnet.org

Carbon Loss Mitigation

CARBON LOSS MITIGATION: A TOOL FOR FORESTCONSERVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATIONBy Kum Christian Tegha and Prof. Sylvester
Ndeso Atanga
he continued development of sustainable
conservation agriculture premised on producing more from less is essential to maintain the quality and quantity of agricultural
products for society, forest conservation, and thegrowing world population.

T

The current available agricultural lands need to be
used efficiently to avoid the need for agricultural
expansion into the remaining natural forest habitat. Sustainable conservation agriculture practices
like minimum soil disturbance, crop rotation, andpermanent soil cover can prevent the loss of carbon
and other nutrients or contribute to reverse theprocess of soil degradation thereby resulting in optimal restoration of ecosystem services and optimalcarbon storage in soils.
Below are two cases that demonstrate the need forsustainable conservation agriculture amidst forest
degradation and climate change.

tations; maize, sugar cane and mixed cropping farms(Figure 1). Farming is by felling and burning down
a forest and after about 3-5 years the plot is abandoned in search for a new farm (Figure 2). Samples
were collected within 2500 m2, 0-30 cm depth ineach chosen land use and sieved through 20 mm
mesh and sent to the Ekona soil research Laboratory
for physical and chemical analysis. SOM and deterioration indices were estimated as follows.
SOC = %C×p×V
SOM=SOC × 1.78 (Wairiu & Lal, 2003).
DI = X-Xi
X
Where: DI= deterioration index,
Ẍ = mean value of soil parameter in forest site, while
Xi = mean value of soil parameter in compare site
Awotoye et al (2011).
LAND USE TYPESCASE 1: Soil Organic Carbon Storage under Different Land Uses- Mount Cameroon National Park(MCNP)
Mt Cameroon National Park (MCNP) supports a diversity of endemic and threatened species, and has
the potential of mitigating climate change throughcarbon storage in its soils. The area is threaten byunsustainable agricultural land use practices such as
forest conversion and burning, spraying with chemicals etc. therefore information on MCNP soil carbon stock compared to these agricultural land uses
might add more impetus to its conservation and theneed for sustainable conservation agriculture on theavailable agricultural lands.
This study was conducted to estimate Soil Organic
Carbon (SOC) quantities in different land uses as
an impetus to forest conservation and sustainable
conservation agriculture within the tenure of 20112012. A transect was drawn across the study areafrom which 5 (Idenau, Batoke, Ekona, Likomba &Buea) villages chosen across the different temperature and elevation gradients in the area. Nine land
uses prominent and significant in the area werechosen: MCNP; palm, rubber, tea, and banana plan

Figure 1: Land use types of the study.

18

www.atpsnet.org

Carbon Loss Mitigation	
  Table 2: Deterioration Indices (DI)Land

%Moist BD Total OC

pH

A. P

N.

use types

Banana

24.7

3.9

45.8

38.7 9.2-251.1 35.2

Cassava

16.6

3.2

47.2

50.3 5.5-119.1 36.8

Maize

10.2

9.4

30.5

29.1 0.004 -118.0 37.7

Mixed

9.2

4.7

18.1

24.3 2.5

-85.4

21.7

Oil palm

17.7

7.8

44.4

41.6 6.6

-73.0

46.7

Rubber

62.1-1.6 63.9

75.5 9.5

4.5

66.3

Sugar cane 22.3

3.9

55.5

61.2 6.2-203.4 56.3

Tea

1.6

2.8

37.2 22.0-203.4 2.1

cropping

Figure 2: Cleared forest, ready for farming 752m
above sea level. Looking South at 521011E,
452422N, on Janaury 3rd, 2011.
The result revealed significant difference between
SOM of forest and SOM of cassava farms, rubber
and oil palm plantations (Table 1) giving rise to significant losses in CO2 equivalence. Soil deterioration
indices (Table 2) further showed that soils underrubber, sugarcane and cassava in that order weremore degraded when compared to forest soil. Thisis an indication that forest conversion to agriculture
probably leads to loss of SOM and soil degradation.

10.3

DI in percentages of some soil properties. Values
above 50 % show high deterioration and negative
indices for bulk density depict highly compacted.

Table 1: SOM of the different land use systems of the study area

Table 1: Some of the different land use systems of the study area.
Land Use Types± S.E
Banana13.15 ± 3.72

Cassava

10.77 ± 2.95

Forest22.53 ± 3.36

Maize

14.64 ± 2.89

Mixed
cropping

CO2

2

SOC Den (kgC/m )16.14 ± 2.54

Oil palm

12.16 ± 2.79

Rubber

5.61 ± 1.10

Sugar canea©

8.75

Tea©

13.95

CEC

TOC (t/ha)

SOM (t/ha)

131.68 ± 37.2

234.43±29.49
225.24±±±±260.55

±

51.40
±

25.43
121.60400.9659.89

28.87
161.44

±

52.49

33.65
146.40191.62287.29±45.27±

216.41SOC(t/ha)

66.22
107.72

Eq.

±

27.89

49.64

56.10 ± 11.00

99.86 ± 19.58

87.48

155.71139.52248.35483.27 ± 136.40
395.33 ± 108.12*
826.63 ± 123.37
537.29 ± 105.87
592.48 ± 93.26
446.27 ± 102.25*
205.89 ± 40.33*
321.05512.04*Significantly different from forest at p=0.05, ©: could be compared with forest because theseland use types where in just one village and gave just one value.

19www.atpsnet.org
CASE 2: Soil and Water Protection
This study was carried out with local farmers in Wehsome 11 Km south east of Wum to evaluate impacts
of conservation tillage and cover cropping on soil
erosion in arable land compared to conventional
practices. The study ran within tenure of 2009-2013.
A combination of minimum tillage, crop rotation(leguminous plants), organic matter application andcover coping techniques were used. Samples werecollected twice each year and sent for analysis. The
results (Figure 3) revealed; reduction in soil erosion
by more than 50%, agrochemical and fertilizer run
off reduction by up to 60%, enhanced soil biodiversity - arthropods, earthworms, farm birds C02 emissions decreased by 70%.

Carbon Loss Mitigation
Practical research will not yield full benefits to theforest conservation, agricultural community, theenvironment and wider society unless more is done
to increase the uptake of such practices at the policy
level and more actively involving a range of stakeholders. Policy programs need to provide further
financial or technical assistance to farmers, particularly those who are younger or more entrepreneurial and willing or able to change their approaches.

Prof. Sylvester Ndeso Atanga is the National Chapter Coordinator ATPS Cameroon. He is also theDean, School of Health and Human Services at
Saint Monica American International University.
Mr. Kum Christian is the Research Coordinator ATPS
Cameroon. He is a PhD research student at the
University of Buea, Department of Environmental
Science.

Figure 3: Comparison of build-up of organic matterin topsoil in Weh-Cameroon Case Study

Conclusion
No single set of practice works in all places, a range
of approaches is required which is specific to crops,
climates, and cultures. Practices and technologies
must be tailored to the local landscape conditions
and the socio-economic conditions of farmers,
however, key principles of conservation agriculture;minimizing soil disturbance, covering the groundand rotating crops should not be compromised.

20www.atpsnet.org

CAAST- Net Plus Workshop

ATPS PARTICIPATES IN THE CAAST-NET PLUS
WORKSHOP FOR EARLY CAREER AFRICAN CLIMATEACADEMICS

Participants at the CAAST- NET Plus Workshop for Early Career African Climate Academics which was held in
Accra, Ghana from 21-23 November 2016.
By Dr. Ernest AcheampongD

r. Ernest Acheampong, ATPS Seniorresearcher participated in the CAAST- Net
Plus workshop for Early Career African
Climate Academics which was held in
Accra, Ghana from 21-23 November 2016.
The aim of the workshop was to build the capacityof selected experts in the area of climate change(sustainable agriculture intensification) researchand research funding from academia, the public andprivate sectors, and provide guidance and feedback
to early career academic researchers based in Africa.

to improving agricultural productivity to meet thegrowing food demand. This is possible if individuals,
institutions and countries undertake high quality
research, use the knowledge acquired and products
relevant to their needs and engage stakeholders
accordingly.

In his concluding remarks, he emphasized that a
research agenda for SAI requires the implementationof innovative strategies, including financial support
in research and research capacity development;
building collaboration with public and private
partners, and developing policies that promote SAI.
In his presentation on “Strengthening Research The workshop provided insights into how ATPS canCapacities for the Uptake of Sustainable Agriculture better position itself to explore funding opportunities
Intensification”,
Dr.
Acheampong
described through the European Commission’s Horizon 2020
Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) as funding mechanism.
an emerging paradigm that targets to increase
productivity of existing land and water resources to
produce food and cash crops. He noted that about
65% of Africa’s land remains uncultivated, whilecurrent land under cultivation is characterised by low
soil fertility and degradation.
According to Dr. Acheampong, developing Africa’s
professional and institutional research capacity forsustainable agricultural intensification is critical21

www.atpsnet.org

GrantsGRANTS RECEIVED BY THE ATPS DURING THE QUARTER
S/N

Donor

Project Description

Grants Received

1

Ford Foundation

Core funding support for thedevelopment of the new ATPS Phase
VIII Strategic Phase VIII Strategic Plan
for 2017-2022.

US $ 50,000.00

22

www.atpsnet.org

Appointments

NEW APPOINTMENTS
Mrs. Teresa Werrhe Abira is the Programme Assistant and Secretary at
the ATPS. She is responsible for keeping track on the status of research
grants and donor programmes, and assists with maintenance of all
correspondence and files on programs and research projects. She also
assists in drafting and consolidating donor reports for submission
on a timely basis and monitors the implementation of programme/
project activities involving extensive liaison with field projects.
She also serves as the secretary to the ATPS Executive Director.
Mrs. Abira holds a Bachelor of Science, Project Management anda certificate in Business Management. Prior to joining ATPS she
worked at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as a
Senior Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Director General..

Mr. Raymond Mumo is the Information Technology assistant at the
ATPS. He is an on-going student at the Jomo Kenyatta Universityof Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) pursuing Bachelor of Science,
Information Technology. He is responsible for maintaining and updating
the ATPS website, supporting and maintaining online databases,
subsidiary websites, ATPS email system, installing and managing
computer software and configuring new hardwares. He also maintains
and operates the ICT system updates and ICT system configuration
changes. He is among the students’ at JKUAT who developed the JKUAT
mobile application which was used to lay down some parts of internet
connection at the University.

23

www.atpsnet.org

Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS
CAS-TWAS President’s PhD Fellowship Programme
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) signed an agreement
to advance science in developing countries and sponsor upto 200 students/scholars to study in China for
doctoral degrees for up to 4 years. The fellowship programme is open and the deadline for application
is 31st March 2017.
REQUIREMENTS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Be maximum age of 35 years on 31 December 2017;
Not take up other assignments during the period of his/her fellowship;
Not hold Chinese citizenship;
Meet the admission criteria for international students of UCAS/USTC (criteria of UCAS/criteria of
USTC).
Hold a master degree before the beginning of the fall semester: 1 September, 2017.
Provide evidence that he/she will return to their home country on completion of their studies in
China according to CAS-TWAS agreement.
Provide proof of knowledge of English or Chinese language.

For more information, please visit: http://twas.org/opportunity/cas-twas-presidents-phd-fellowshipprogramme

OPEC/OFID Scholarships for Developing Countries 2017/2018
The OPEC Fund for International Development – OFID Scholarship Award 2017/2018 is open for qualified
applicants who have obtained or are on the verge of completing their undergraduate degree and whowish to study for a Master’s degree, to win up to $50,0000. The Scholarship is open to those students
who wish to pursue studies in a relevant field of Development or Energy Studies such as: economics ofdevelopment (poverty reduction, energy and sustainable development), environment (desertification),or other related science and technology fields.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS: The winners of the OFID Scholarship Award will receive a full tuition scholarshipof up to US$50,000. The funds will be spread over a maximum of one year, toward the completion of a
Master’s degree, or its equivalent, at an accredited educational institution.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1st May, 2017
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must complete the online application form which is available at http://www.
ofid.org/Beyond-the-scope-N1/Scholarship-Award-N1/Application-Guidlines24

www.atpsnet.org

Opportunities

OPPORTUNITIESEAI International Conference on Innovations
Interdisciplinary Solutions for Undeserved Area

andThe EAI International Conference on Innovations and Interdisciplinary Solutions for Undeserved Area will
be held in Dakar, Senegal. The conference will focus on five major topics namely: Innovative sustainableenergy solutions and energy as means for economic development, ICT as an enabler for economic
growth snd social development in undeserved areas, Improving sustainability concept in undeserved
areas, Innovation and entrepreneurship and citizens as leverage for scientific research and developmentin undeserved areas.
For more information about the conference please visit: http://interdisciplinarysolutions.org/2017/
show/home

159th International Conference on Recent Innovations inEngineering and Technology (ICRIET)The National and International Conferences in South Africa will hold its 159th International Conference
on Recent Innovations in Engineering and Technology (ICRIET). The idea of the conference is for thescientists, scholars, engineers and students from the Universities all around the world and the industry topresent ongoing research activities, and hence to foster research relations between the Universities andthe industry.
Deadline for abstracts/proposals: 22-2-2017
For more information please visit: https://www.conferencealert.com/event_details.php?ev_id=49228

25

www.atpsnet.org

Photo Gallery

PHOTO GALLERY - LANDINFO APP TRAINING DAY ONE

Dr. Ernest Acheampong (in black and gold),
ATPS Senior Researcher assists participants todownload the LandInfo app in their phones.

Tea Break: Participants share bitings in between
the training sessions.

Mr. Hillary Ragen, ATPS Research Officer digs a
pit to be used for the field demonstrations.

Ms. Sharon Anyango (Right) ATPS
Communications Officer assists a participant toanalyse field findings derived from the app.

Open Forum: A participant asks a question aboutthe LandInfo mobile app.

Classroom Session: Dr. Nicholas Ozor, ATPS
Executive Diretor gives insights about the LandInfo
mobile app.
26

www.atpsnet.org

Photo Gallery

PHOTO GALLERY - LANDINFO APP TRAINING DAY TWO

Dr. Ernest Acheampong guides participants at
the field on how the LandInfo app works.

Dr. Catherine Kunyanga, the workshop
facilitator leads participants in the introduction
exercise.

The ATPS team that attended the LandInfo mobile
app training workshop at Kaguru Agricultural
Training Centre.

A participant measures the slope of land using
the slope meter which is available on the
LandInfo mobile app.

Participants follow keenly the LandInfo mobile
app presentations from the ATPS team.

Participants at the field obtaining information
about the land in regards to the type of soil,
slope with assistance of the LandInfo app.
27

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS National Chapter Coordinators

ATPS NATIONAL CHAPTER COORDINATORS

Australia
Mr. David Doepel
Chair, Africa Research Group,
Murdoch University
90 South Street
MurdochWestern Australia 6150
Tel: +61418912287
Email: d.doepel@murdoch.edu.au

Cote d’Ivore
Dr. Arsène Kouadio,
Associate Professor, University of
Abidjan-Cocody ; Researcher, CIRES
Director, Laboratoire de croissance
Economique
Executive Director, Institut pour leDéveloppement (IPD),
Coordinator, ATPS Côe d’Ivoire,
Coordinator, RIA Côte d’Ivoire,
Fellow Researcher, AERC, Poverty
Benin
Economic Policy (PEP),
Dr. Roch L. Mongbo
Cocody, Boulelevard Latrille
Senior Lecturer & Researcher
08 B.P. 1295 Abidjan 08, Côte d’Ivoire
Tel : +225 22 44 60 99
Director of LADyD (Lab for Social
Dynamics and Development Studies) Fax: +225 22 48 82 84
Mobile : +225 07 98 46 80 /Universite’ d’Abomey-Calavi,Benin
05 95 97 91
02 BP 778 Gbe’gamey
E-mail: arsene.k@ipd-ci.org
Cotonou, Beninarsenekk@yahoo.fr
Tel: +229-21360126
arsenekouadio@hotmail.com
Cell : +229-95966446 / 97374797
Email: rmongbo@intnet.bj or
Egypt
Rochl_mongbo@yahoo.com
Ms. Manal Moustafa Samra
Focal Point Coordinator
Botswana
45 Noubar Street, Bab El-Louk
Dr. John Mothibi
8th Floor, Apt 29,Cairo
Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering &EgyptTechnology
Tel: +20105005284
University of Botswana
Email: mmsamra@gmail.com
P/Bag 0061
Gaborone, Botswana
Ethiopia
Tel: +267 3554348
Mr. Wondwossen Belete,
Fax: +267 3952309
Ag. National CoordinatorE-mail: mothibij@mopipi.ub.bw
Director of Intellectual Property
Protection and Technology Transfer,
Burkina Faso
Ethiopian Industrial Property
Dr. Benoit Kabore
Organization (EIPO)
Université de Ouagadougou
Email: wondwossenbel@yahoo.com
01 BP 4487
Ouagadougou 01
GambiaBurkina Faso
VacantTel: 226 812008/380715
Email: benkabor2003@yahoo.fr
Ghana
Dr. Fred Amu-Mensah
Cameroon
Senior Research Scientist
Prof. Sylvester Ndeso Atanga
CSIR Water Research InstituteSenior Visiting Lecturer,
P.O. Box M.32
Epidemology & Public HealthAccra, Ghana
Faculty of Health Sciences
Tel: +233-24-4748197
University of Buea
Fax: +233 21 77 7170
P.O. Box 63
Email: assabil@aim.com orSouth West Province
obeyie@gmail.com
Republic of Cameroon
Tel: + 237-653774599/ 243094176
Cell: +237-99841433
Email: silawrence2011@gmail.com
or ndesoatpscamnet@
rocketmail.com

28

Kenya
Mr. Kenneth Williams Aduda
Senior Research Fellow
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University
P.O. Box 201 - 40601
Bondo, Kenya
Tel: +254 057 - 2501804
Fax: +254 057 - 2523851
Email: adudakenwo@gmail.com
Lesotho
Mr. Denis Sekoja Phakisi
Acting National Coordinator
Manufacturing Manager
Loti Brick
P.O. Box 8008, Maseru 100, Lesotho
Tel: +266 5885 3389
Fax: +266 22310071
Email: ds.phakisi@lycos.com
Liberia
Dr. Wollor Emmanuel Topor
National Coordinator
Acting Dean
College of Science and Technology
University of Liberia
Tel: + 231-6875802
Email: wollortopor@yahoo.com
Malawi
Kingdom M. Kwapata
Bunda College, P.O. Box 219,
Lilongwe, Malawi
Tel: +265 999195477
E-mail: kwapata@yahoo.com
Mali
Dr. Sidiki Gabriel Dembele
Agrochimie/Agroforesterie etFertilité des sols
Bureau Ouest-Africain d’Appui
Organisational et de Technologies
Appropiées
B.P. E 3730, Bamako, Mali
Tél. : (223) 226 2012
Fax : (223) 226 2504
Cell : (223) 71 3806
Email: sidikigabriel@hotmail.com
or ousmanenia2000@yahoo.fr

www.atpsnet.org

ATPS National Chapter Coordinators

ATPS NATIONAL CHAPTER COORDINATORS

MoroccoProf. Saïd Boujraf
National Coordinator
Director of the Clinical Neuroscience
Laboratory
Department of Biophysics andClinical MRI Methods
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy,
University of Fez
BP. 1893; Km 2.200, Sidi Hrazem
Road,
Fez 30000, MoroccoTel: +212 667 780 442
Fax: +212 535 619 321
E-mail: sboujraf@gmail.com
MozambiqueEng. Lourino Alberto Chemane
ICT and Planning Advisor
Executive Secretariat, ICT Policy
Commission
Bairro da Coop
Rua Particular Dr. Antonio deAlmeida61 R/C Direito, Maputo
MozambiqueTel: +258 21 309398
Fax: +258 21 302289
Cell : +258 82 3110700
Email: chemane@infopol.gov.mz

Sierra Leone
Mr. Chris Squire
Head, Dept of MechanicalEngineering
Fourah Bay College
University of Sierra Leone
Mount Auroel
PMB Freetown Sierra Leone
Tel: +232 22 227831
Fax: +232 22 227453
Cell: +232 76 610600
Email: squirechris15@yahoo.com

SenegalDr. Papa Alioune Sarr Ndiaye
ESP BP 15475 DAKAR Fann
SénégalTél : Bureau (221) 864 54 18
Fax : (221) 864 21 43
Domicile (221) 820 23 88
Cellulaire (221) 634 58 88
Email : papaas.ndiaye@ucad.edu.sn
or papealiounen@yahoo.fr
South Africa
Professor Mark Swilling
Stellenbosch University, Private Bag
X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
Cell: +27(0)83-459 7417
Tel: +27(0)21-881 3196
Fax: +27(0)21 - 881 3294
Email: swilling@sun.ac.za

NigeriaProf. Michael C. Madukwe
Professor, Department of Agricultural Sudan
Extension
Mrs. Nadia Hassan Sidahmed
University of Nigeria
Economic Studies Department
Nsukka, Enugu State
Industrial Research & Consultancy
Nigeria
Centre (IRCC) Sudan
Tel: +234 42 771019
Tel: +249 911449106
Fax: +234 42 771500
Email: nadiahsh@yahoo.co.uk
Cell: +234 803 700 6968
Email: madukwe@hotmail.com or
Swaziland
madukwemichael@yahoo.com
Dr. Musa Dube
Senior Lecturer
Prof. Femi Olokesusi
Faculty of Agriculture
Nigerian Institute for Social andUniversity of Swaziland
Economic Research (NISER)
Luyengo Campus
P.M.B 5 UI Post Office
P. O. Luyengo, Swaziland
Oyo Road, Ojoo, Ibadan, Nigeria
Email: madube@uniswa.sz
Tel: 234-8023322052/ 8073132917
Fax: +234 2 2413121
Email: femioloke@yahoo.com

Tanzania
Dr. Hassan Mshinda
Director General
RwandaTanzania Commission for ScienceDr. Marie-Christine Gasingirwa,
and Technology
Director General, Science,
P.O. Box 4302,
Technology and Research,Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania.
Ministry of Education, Rwanda.
Email: cgasingirwa@mineduc.gov.rw Email: hmshinda@costech.or.tz

29

United Kingdom
Mrs. Martha Ada Ugwu
National Coordinator
59 Highgrove Road
Walderslade, Chatham
Kent, ME5 7SF, UK
Tel: +4401634310389/07985476289
Email: Martha.ugwu@yahoo.co.uk
or Martha@ugwu.fsworld.co.uk
UgandaMr. John Okuonzi
National Coordinator
Kyambogo University
Faculty of Engineering, Department
of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering,
P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, kampala,ugandaTel: +256 782 353034
Email: jokuonzi@kyu.ac.ug or
okuonzijohnie@yahoo.com
United States of America.
Dr. Anthony C Ikeme
National Coordinator
President & CEO
Clintriad Pharma Services
102 Pickering Way, Suite 200
Exton, PA 19341
Tel: 484.753.3405
Cell: 215.380.9920
Fax: 610.384.5455
Email: aikeme@clintriad.com
ZambiaMs Lilian ZULU
Coordinator, Centre for Energy
Environment and Engineering Zambia(CEEEZ) Ltd, 176 Parirenyatwa Road
Suite B. Fairview, P/B E721
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel/Fax: +260 211 223118
Email: ceeez@zamnet.zm or
lmunyeka@yahoo.com
Zimbabwe
Mr. Benson Zwizwai
Economics Department, Universityof Zimbabwe
P. O. Box 880
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 772494902
Fax: +263 4 333345
Cell: +263 912245614
Email: bmutzwizwai@yahoo.com

African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS)
8th Floor, Chancery Building, Valley Road
P.O. Box 10081-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20271 4092; Fax: +254 20 2714028
Email: info@atpsnet.org
Url: http://www.atpsnet.org
Skype: ATPS Network

Follow us on

ATPS NETWORKATPS NETWORK

African Technology
Policy Studies Network

ATPS NETWORK@atpsnetwork

atpsnetwork’s channel

ATPS National Chapters & Focal Points