Session Duration: 2 hours
Format: Interactive lecture, role-play (parliamentary hearing), case study review
This unit introduces participants to how policy processes work in West Africa, from formulation to evaluation. It explains the roles of government, civil society, and donors, and highlights when and how research evidence can influence decisions. By the end, participants will understand entry points for Councils to engage policymakers and the barriers that often prevent evidence uptake.
Training Content
1. Overview of Policy Cycles in West Africa
a) Policy Formulation: How issues are identified and placed on the government agenda. Councils can influence this by producing evidence-based position papers.
b) Policy Adoption: Cabinet, parliament, or ministries formalize policies. Councils may be invited for expert testimony.
c) Policy Implementation: Ministries/agencies operationalize policies through programs and budgets. Councils should monitor how their recommendations are applied.
d) Policy Evaluation: Councils can provide MEL evidence to feed into reviews of whether policies are achieving their goals.
2. Windows of Opportunity
a) Policymaking is not linear; opportunities appear around elections, crises, donor negotiations, or new sectoral plans.
b) Councils should prepare “evidence briefs in waiting” to seize these moments.
3. Key Actors in Policy Processes
a) Elected officials (President, parliamentarians).
b) Bureaucrats (ministries, agencies, commissions).
c) Non-state actors (NGOs, industry, media, civil society).
d) Donors (influence policy agendas through conditionalities).
4. Barriers to Evidence Uptake
a) Mistrust of researchers (seen as too academic).
b) Timing mismatch (research produced after decisions are made).
c) Political incentives (leaders may prioritize popular policies over evidence-based ones).
d) Limited capacity of policymakers to interpret technical data.
📍 Case Study: Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) successfully influenced the Plant Breeders Bill by organizing briefing sessions for parliamentarians and simplifying technical evidence into actionable messages.
💡 Best Practice: Assign dedicated “policy liaison officers” in Councils to track legislative calendars and alert researchers to upcoming opportunities.
💡 Action Tip: Councils should assign policy liaison officers to monitor legislative calendars and anticipate entry points for research evidence.
Facilitator Notes
a) Use Kingdon’s model (problem–policy–politics) in role-play.
b) Emphasize identifying policy windows.
c) Share African policy case studies (e.g., Nigeria TETFund reforms).
Suggestions for Further Reading
a) Kingdon, J. (2010). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies.
b) Young, J., & Quinn, L. (2012). Making Research Evidence Matter.