The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) has launched a two-day training seminar on the National Evaluation Capacities Index (INCE) to fortify African evaluation systems. The initiative seeks to foster collaboration and sustainable development by providing reliable data on the capacities of national evaluation systems.The INCE, a tool that gathers information through the perceptions and knowledge of key stakeholders within the evaluation systems, provides a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of national evaluation frameworks.
Speaking at the launch, the President of AfrEA, Dr. Miché Ouédraogo, emphasized the association’s commitment to enhancing public policy and driving development in Africa through rigorous evaluation projects.
“AfrEA is dedicated to strengthening evaluation systems across the continent, inspired by the vision of a united Africa,” Dr. Ouédraogo stated. He stated that the association’s goal is to forge a strong partnership with the African Union to support the realization of Agenda 2063.Dr. Ouédraogo hailed the launch of INCE in Africa as a pivotal step towards establishing a future where evaluation plays a central role in national development processes.
A representative from Ghana’s National Development and Planning Commission, Dr. Audrey Amoah shared insights on Ghana’s experience with evaluation tools. She cited the district league table, a ranking mechanism for assessing and tracking development in Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), as a significant tool in strengthening the national Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system over the past eight years.
“The assessment has provided valuable evidence on disparities across regions and districts, informing priorities, strategies, and programs,” Dr. Amoah explained.
However, she acknowledged existing challenges, including capacity and resource constraints, which hinder the development of a robust evaluation culture at national and sub-national levels.Dr. Amoah expressed her support for the INCE initiative, recognizing its potential to address these challenges and strengthen evaluation practices across the continent. She assured AfrEA of the commission’s commitment to partnership and collaboration in promoting evidence-based development in Africa.
The seminar marks a significant step towards fostering a culture of robust evaluation in Africa, ensuring that development initiatives are grounded in evidence and contribute to the continent’s sustainable progress.