DIPPER Lab hosts UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology delegation to explore West Africa research collaboration
The DIPPER Lab has hosted a delegation of academics and researchers from Sierra Leone as part of a knowledge exchange initiative aimed at strengthening science, technology and innovation systems across West Africa.
The visit, facilitated by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) West Africa Office through its Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Helpdesk, brought together the visiting team and Ghanaian research stakeholders to explore opportunities for collaboration in research and development.
The engagement focused on how research institutions can translate data-driven insights into practical solutions, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and climate resilience.
The DIPPER Lab and Sesi Technologies team, alongside representatives from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), used the opportunity to advance discussions on collaborative research, innovation ecosystems and capacity building.
The CSIR delegation was led by Dr. Hillary Mireku Botey, Senior Research Scientist and Seed Systems Expert.
Speaking during the visit, the Scientific Director of the Lab, Eric Tutu Tchao, emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration in accelerating innovation.
“Partnerships of this nature are critical to addressing shared development challenges and the collaboration with Sesi Technologies is a shining example,” he said, adding, “Why work in silos when we can join forces to collaborate?”
The delegation, nominated by Ministry of Technical and Higher Education Sierra Leone, engaged with the Lab to gain practical insights into innovation and incubation activities, including the application of digital tools to solve real-world challenges.
Members of the delegation included Ing. Georgiana Allie of Njala University, Dr. Mohammed Sellu of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and Dr. Brima Sesay of the University of Management and Technology.
Also present was Priscilla Serwaah Gyasi, Science, Technology and Innovation Helpdesk Manager at the UKCEH West Africa Office.
During the engagement, the team was taken through key projects at the Lab, including the Smart Indigenous Weather App (SIWA), Smart Nitro, Sesi Technologies and DIPPER Lab’s FarmSense tool.
Dr. Enoch Bessah, Climate and Ecosystem Monitoring Lead, led a session on SIWA, explaining its functionality and relevance to local communities.
The delegation also observed a demonstration of the FarmSense device and its role in supporting data-driven decision-making in agriculture.
The Deputy Scientific Director, Dr. Andrew Selasi Agbemenu, Dr. Prince Odame, Child Health and Innovation Lead, and representatives from Sesi Technologies were also present.
The knowledge exchange visit is funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under its regional Sankore Project, implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with UKCEH.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen science, technology and innovation systems in West Africa while positioning the DIPPER Lab as a hub for research and knowledge exchange in the region.
