Professor Peter Quartey is the Director of ISSER
The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research(ISSER) and International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) have advocated for inclusive and evidence-based policies to drive national development.
The advocacy is against the backdrop of disjointed effort in the policy formulation and implementation where policies are often not backed by research.
The two institutions jointly made the call at the 8th of Evidence to Action Conference which was held at the ISSER Conference Room in Accra.
The four-day event featured several activities including discussions on research findings and break out sessions.
Professor Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER, emphasised the importance of such international gatherings, noting that they did not only raise the profiles of both institutions but also showcased Ghana as a vibrant hub for research on the international stage.
Professor Quartey elaborated on strategies for effectively transitioning research into policy to drive national development .
He advocated for early and continuous engagement with practitioners and policymakers, right from the the beginning of research projects by researchers.
Professor Quartey explained that such collaboration ensured that research questions were relevant and that findings were readily validated and adopted by practitioners such as policymakers.
He cited encouraging interactions with government agencies, including a notable engagement with the Minister of Local Government, who demonstrated keen interest in leveraging the conference’s evidence and committed to ongoing collaboration.
Dr David Sarfo Ameyaw, President and CEO of ICED, highlighted the need to include vulnerable and marginalised groups, notably women, young people, and persons with disabilities in the policy formulation process.
“By actively soliciting their insights, policies become more relevant, effective, and capable of fostering real improvements in daily lives,” he said.
Dr Ameyaw urged that research findings should not be confined to academic journals or lengthy reports.
Instead, they must be transformed into easily digestible, accessible formats tailored for diverse audiences, urging researchers to adopt innovative techniques to make their findings accessible.
He said this innovative approach included translating complex data into engaging materials such as community posters, illustrative storybooks for children, interactive colouring books, and even incorporating development themes into popular dramatic productions like telenovelas.
Dr Ameyaw stressed that the aim was to bridge the knowledge gap, empowering every segment of society – from top-level policymakers to grassroots communities – with actionable information.
He noted that a key recommendation from the conference focused on the utilisation and dissemination of evidence needed for policy formulation.