Accra: African policymakers and researchers have been urged to strengthen the use of research evidence in public decision-making to improve governance, accountability, and development outcomes across the continent. Participants at the 2026 Evidence-to-Action (E2A) Conference in Accra emphasized that much of the research produced by African institutions is not being utilized in policies and programs, despite its potential to address pressing development challenges.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, highlighted this issue at the conference themed 'Reimagining the Evidence-Informed Policy and Decision-Making Ecosystem in Africa.' He pointed out that Africa remains 'data-rich but information-poor,' as research findings frequently 'gather dust' while decisions are made without adequate evidence. He stated, "A law not backed by data is a shock to the citizen, but a law backed by evidence is a tool for progress."
Mr. Jatta stressed that evidence-based policymaking is crucial for effective national planning, public expenditure, and service delivery. He added that policies developed without credible data often fail to reflect the needs of citizens, particularly young people and vulnerable groups. He called for stronger collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations to ensure that research findings inform practical interventions and public policy.
The conference has gathered participants from several African countries to share experiences and strengthen partnerships between research institutions and decision-makers. Dr. David S. Ameyaw, President of the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED), stated that the conference aims to bridge the gap between research production and policy implementation. He noted that 47 evidence-informed policy and practice cases are being examined to demonstrate how research findings can be effectively translated into action.
Dr. Ameyaw emphasized the necessity of moving beyond producing reports to ensuring that evidence leads to real change in policies and programs. He mentioned that the cases would be documented and shared as practical reference materials to support governments in integrating evidence into decision-making processes. He asserted that stronger use of evidence would enhance governance, improve accountability, reduce inefficiencies in public spending, and help direct resources to areas of greatest need.
Furthermore, Dr. Ameyaw advocated for stronger institutional systems to support evidence-informed policymaking through capacity-building and enhanced stakeholder collaboration. The E2A Conference is providing a platform for policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners to explore strategies for strengthening evidence-informed policy and decision-making across Africa.