By Stanley Senya
Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – About 25 early-career scientists from across Africa have received training in digital research tools and scientific methods to strengthen sustainable natural resource management on the continent.
The training formed part of the fifth edition of the Summer School on Sustainable Natural Resource Management, hosted by the University of Ghana, Legon, from October 5 to 16, 2026.
Dr Benjamin Osei Botwe, Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences at the University of Ghana, said the programme aimed to equip young researchers with the knowledge and technical skills required to collect, analyse and interpret data for improved natural resource management.
He said participants were introduced to geographical information systems, statistical analysis, modelling and the responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI) in research.
The programme brought together 25 scientists, comprising 14 females and 11 males, from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, South Africa and Kenya, alongside a participant from Germany.
Dr Osei Botwe said the training was designed to help participants apply the acquired skills to their respective research projects and contribute to the sustainable management of Africa’s natural resources.
He said the programme was supported by Germany’s Volkswagen Foundation, with researchers and professors from different countries serving as instructors.
Dr Hartmut Stützel, a Professor at the University of Hannover in Germany, said the summer school was designed to strengthen the research capabilities of early-career scientists through training in statistical methods, modelling, scientific writing and research presentation.
He said the programme was part of a series of six summer schools organised in two phases of three editions each.
However, he said the continuation of the initiative beyond the planned series would depend on the availability of funding.
Professor Stützel urged young researchers to develop critical-thinking skills, master relevant scientific techniques and demonstrate dedication and perseverance in their work.
He also encouraged African countries to invest in young scientists by creating opportunities for international collaboration, conference participation and publication in reputable scientific journals.
Such opportunities, he said, would help researchers build professional networks and remain abreast of developments in their respective fields.
As part of the programme, participants visited the Vegetable Hub of Excellence at the University of Ghana to learn about technology-driven agricultural production and its potential to support sustainable livelihoods.
Professor Naalamle Amissah, an Associate Professor at the Department of Crop Science of the University of Ghana, said the facility demonstrated how renewable energy and modern irrigation technologies could improve vegetable production while creating opportunities for young people and women.
She said the centre, established through a partnership involving the University of Ghana and private-sector partners, was funded by the MTN Ghana Foundation.
The facility uses solar energy to power its automated drip irrigation system, reducing dependence on the national electricity grid.
Professor Amissah said the hub provided practical training in vegetable production, crop variety selection and testing, as well as the process of taking produce from cultivation to market.
Participants were given opportunities to cultivate crops and receive guidance throughout the production cycle, including connecting their produce to markets.
She said the approach was intended to help trainees understand the commercial aspects of agriculture, particularly the importance of identifying reliable markets before planting.
Professor Amissah said the facility was also developing a sustainability model under a two-year testing period to generate enough revenue to maintain its infrastructure, including solar panels, irrigation equipment and water storage tanks.
She said the centre was exploring the use of drones, artificial intelligence and digital data collection to improve farm management and strengthen its training programmes.
Professor Amissah said expanding access to such facilities could help reduce the cost of agricultural production and make modern farming more accessible to communities, including those without reliable electricity.
She said changing perceptions about agriculture and exposing young people to technology-driven farming were essential to attracting a new generation of farmers.
The initiative, she added, sought to demonstrate that agriculture could be a modern, commercially viable and technology-based profession rather than an activity dependent solely on traditional methods.
The summer school combined scientific research training with practical exposure to sustainable resource management, providing participants with opportunities to explore how digital technologies and improved production systems could support development across Africa.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade