Accra Workshop
The Accra workshop was a reminder that collaboration, communication, and commitment are at the heart of this effort. As we take the next steps forward to develop plans for these six proposed solution, we remain focused on the shared goal: ensuring that West Africa is better equipped to face and mitigate the impacts of future health emergencies
Why the Workshop Matters?
ARC-WA project convened an important workshop in Accra, Ghana 30 October – 1 November 2024, bringing together 120 key stakeholders, including policy makers, officials, researchers, and regional health leaders from across all 15 West Africa countries.
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Following up on the momentum from the Dakar workshop in June 2024, the Accra workshop was an opportunity to gain consensus on building a stronger regional ecosystem for clinical research in West Africa. The workshop highlighted the urgent need for a unified, sustainable research ecosystem that can meet emerging health threats head-on.
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Co-hosted by Africa CDC, WAHO, CEPI, and the Technical Coordinating Partner (TCP), the event was a critical opportunity to validate existing findings, refine priorities, and co-create solutions that will shape the future of health research preparedness in the region.
Workshop Objectives
​The workshop set out to:
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To consult a range of stakeholders in West Africa on preparedness for clinical research, clinical trials and product development.
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To share and finalize mapping of the research preparedness landscape in West Africa including key stakeholders, existing infrastructure, networks, capabilities, strengths, and challenges.
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To obtain stakeholders’ feedback on the vision for a regional ecosystem/network for research preparedness.
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To co-develop an engagement plan/roadmap for sustainable capacity development in research preparedness in West Africa.​
Key Discussions and Outcomes
The workshop offered a platform for refining the results of the previous landscape analysis, with lively plenary discussions, breakout groups, and country engagement meetings.
Some key takeaways included:
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National and Regional Coordination: Emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation at both the national and regional levels to ensure more cohesive research preparedness.
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Clinical Research Capacity: Focused on expanding clinical research infrastructure through targeted assessments and innovative hub-and-spoke models that connect research sites across the region.
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Sustainable Financing: Highlighted the need for innovative financing models and the integration of research priorities into national health agendas to ensure long-term sustainability.
Proposed Solutions and Next Steps
Six main areas were identified, for which more detailed roadmaps are required:
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National Research Prioritization: Inclusive consultations and piloting tools to set national research priorities.
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Regional Coordination: Strengthening coordination by leveraging existing governance structures across countries.
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Capacity Building: Expanding clinical research capacity through site assessments, training programs, and the hub-and-spoke model.
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Community Engagement: Building trust and ensuring equitable participation through better community involvement.
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Cross-Border Collaboration: Streamlining regulatory and ethical review processes to enable more seamless collaboration.
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Sustainability: Advocating for innovative financing solutions and long-term political support for research preparedness.​​
For more information, please refer to the workshop summary report available in English and French.