On 25th July 2025, the Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services (ACE4ES) Consortium, with support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), organized a high-level training workshop at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) in Asante Mampong.

This workshop marked a strategic milestone in ACE4ES’s mission to identify public agricultural universities within and outside Ghana, assess their training needs, and develop tailored capacity-building programs focused on short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and super pollutant mitigation research and development.

University Assessment and Engagement
AAMUSTED was identified as a critical academic partner given its focus on skill-based training and agricultural innovation. The workshop assessed the university’s needs for integrating SLCP mitigation and sustainable agriculture technologies into curricula, research, and community outreach.

Tailored Training Program Development
A bespoke training program was designed to address AAMUSTED’s specific requirements. The program covered agroecology principles, circular economy approaches, validated low-emission agricultural technologies, and policy implications for SLCP reduction.
Curriculum modules included:
Agroecology principles and their application
Circular economy models for waste valorization
SLCP mitigation strategies in livestock and cropping systems
Integration of emission reduction technologies into academic and extension programs
Training Sessions and Knowledge Transfer

Led by Dr. Kwaku Onwona-Hwesofour Asante and supported by Prof. Margaret Essi Essilfie, Prof. Richard Kotei, and Dr. Benjamin Aboagye Danso, the sessions provided hands-on insights into the technologies, their implementation, and practical benefits for farmers and communities.
Faculty and staff were equipped with resources, instructional guides, and demonstration materials to support integration into teaching and research activities. The training also promoted collaborative student-led research and extension projects under the ACE4ES framework.

Achievement of Objectives
The workshop successfully achieved its objectives by:
Aligning training content with identified university needs.
Strengthening faculty capacity to lead SLCP mitigation research and innovation.
Establishing AAMUSTED as a key academic partner for ongoing collaboration at the forthcoming ACE4ES

Multicultural Technology Park (MTP).
Participants committed to continuous engagement with the ACE4ES Consortium and expressed readiness to co-develop academic modules and student projects that align with Ghana’s and regional climate goals.

Participant Feedback
End-of-session surveys captured valuable feedback on content relevance, instructional methods, and recommendations for future sessions. Participants emphasized the practical value of the training and the importance of continued collaboration and on-campus demonstrations. The event brought together 215 students and faculty members.

Next Steps
As part of the broader strategy leading to the commissioning of the ACE4ES Multicultural Technology Park, the AAMUSTED faculty and students agreed to actively contribute to research and innovation activities. This partnership will serve as a model for other universities in Ghana and across Africa to integrate SLCP mitigation into academic, research, and community engagement agendas.
The ACE4ES Project is funded by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition of the United Nations Environment Program