Paper short abstract:

This study investigates the determinants of weather index-based insurance adoption among crop farmers in Ghana. It identifies key factors such as trust in financial institutions, perceived risk, and public policy perceptions that influence farmers' willingness to participate in insurance programs.

Paper long abstract:

In Sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural insurance is crucial for mitigating the climatic risks faced by farmers, yet adoption rates remain low in Ghana. This research explores the factors influencing crop farmers' demand for weather index-based insurance. Utilizing the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the study examines variables including trust in financial institutions, risk perception, and views on policy interventions. A quantitative approach was employed, surveying 203 farmers across Ghana's Northern and Southern Savanna regions using a purposive sampling technique. Ordered Probit econometric models were applied to identify determinants affecting insurance demand. The findings reveal that trust in financial institutions and positive perceptions of public policy significantly enhance the likelihood of adopting weather index insurance. Conversely, a high perception of risk negatively impacts demand. Notable differences were observed based on agroecological zones, crop type (maize), farming experience, and educational background. The results suggest that enhancing trust and improving perceptions of policy effectiveness could foster greater participation in weather index insurance. The study recommends that policymakers focus on infrastructure improvements and quality weather data to support farmers and suggests further research on savings and credit access related to insurance adoption.

Paper short abstract:

This study adopts qualitative approach, drawing on stakeholder interviews to critically analyze the resilience potential of urban agriculture (UA), adaptation strategies of urban growers, and the extent to which UA has been integrated into national policies as a resilience strategy.

Paper long abstract:

The world is urbanizing rapidly with attendant consequences continuously threatening development progress, particularly in the developing world. Weak planning and management tools position many African cities at the mercy of adverse climatic impacts intertwined with heightened poverty and inequalities. Amid all this, however, people continue to find hope and adapt to the complex changing dynamics in urban environments. The current polycrisis demands effective, yet less expensive strategies with strong potential to build resilience, especially among the poor. Urban agriculture (UA) has emerged as a potent strategy capable of building climate and economic resilience, particularly among the poor and marginalized groups. However, little is known about the resilience potential of UA in African cities. It is also not clear how urban growers adapt to the increasing pressures associated with rapid urbanization. Additionally, we do not understand the extent to which UA is championed in strategic national policies as a resilience strategy. These are pertinent questions that need to be interrogated. This paper aims to contribute empirical evidence to address these questions using Accra, Ghana, as a case study. The study will adopt qualitative approach, drawing on stakeholder interviews to critically analyze the resilience potential of UA, adaptation strategies of urban growers, and the extent to which UA has been integrated into national policies as a resilience strategy. Understanding these issues holds significant promise in developing tailored and evidence-based solutions to address current challenges characterizing African cities. The analysis will provide a framework that can be adapted to other African countries.

Paper short abstract:

Arguably, this scholarly initiative seeks to augment the capabilities of local assemblies to achieve the SDGs and support Ghana's sustainable development path through a cooperative and resource-efficient methodology.

Paper long abstract:

Promulgated by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a global blueprint to eradicate extreme poverty, safeguard the environment, and enhance global peace and prosperity by 2030. Although these objectives are comprehensive, they require regional execution strategies that consider particular challenges and contextual driving elements. This paper aims to model the implementation of sustainable development by exploring the barriers and Drivers with a focus on the Manya and Yilo Municipalities in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The paper would be anchored on quantitative research approach and positivists' research paradigm to investigate the factors facilitating and obstructing local initiatives aimed at implementing the SDGs. Primary data would be gathered through structured questionnaire instrument. Relative Importance Index would be the main quantitative instrument to be used to rank the drivers and the barriers with the aid of SPSS version 25. It is expected that factors such as financial resources, awareness campaigns, institutional support and technological knowhow would drive SDG implementations at the locality while inadequate finance, weak institutional support, inadequate technical knowhow and weak public education would serve as significant barriers. The paper examines these processes to provide a comprehensive understanding of how local assemblies might enhance stakeholder engagement, institutional capacity, and resource distribution for sustainable development. The findings will contribute to the growing discourse on localised SDGs implementation by presenting evidence from the Ghanaian setting. Policymakers can utilise the study's recommendations as a framework to formulate and implement strategic initiatives that enhance facilitators and eliminate barriers.

Paper short abstract:

Insights into South Sudan’s unique resilience strategies; How local knowledge, empowered communities, and innovation transform intersecting crises into sustainable solutions, showcasing resilience amidst environmental, economic, and political challenges.

Paper long abstract:

When war flattened Agok, in South Sudan, everything was lost – homes, offices, and hope. Families fled, and NGOs scrambled to salvage what they could. The crisis should have paralysed services for months, but one local NGO proved otherwise. Within a single week, they rebuilt their operations in Abyei, resuming cash transfers and work programs that sustained vulnerable families.

This was no miracle. It was the power of local knowledge, preparation, and autonomy. Empowered to act independently of cumbersome aid bureaucracies, the NGO demonstrated how community-driven leadership can defy expectations. Their readiness, rooted in trust and investment in local capacity, enabled them to adapt swiftly, restoring lifelines to those in need.

This story is a vivid example of Africa’s resilience in the face of compounding crises. It underscores how local organizations, equipped with the right resources and autonomy, can transform chaos into opportunity. In an era of “polycrisis,” where environmental degradation, economic instability, and conflict intertwine, this experience offers a blueprint for rapid, sustainable responses that prioritize human dignity.

The NGO’s recovery illustrates the intersection of tradition and innovation, as local networks mobilized to rebuild not just structures but trust and social cohesion. This paper highlights why global aid systems must shift from control to empowerment, recognizing that solutions rooted in local contexts are not only faster but more sustainable. It is a call to action for embracing Africa’s distinct strengths in navigating today’s interconnected challenges.

Paper short abstract:

Africa's polycrisis demands innovative, integrated strategies drawing on resilience theory, indigenous knowledge systems and cross-sectoral collaboration. Systemic solutions to the challenges, require adaptive governance, regional and global partnerships, and commitment to inclusive, development.

Paper long abstract:

Africa faces a "polycrisis" characterized by the convergence of environmental degradation, economic instability, and political challenges, creating a complex web of interrelated problems. This paper explores systemic strategies African nations and regional bodies are employing to address these crises collectively, highlighting the importance of systemic approaches and cross-sectoral collaboration, for addressing these interconnected crises. Using resilience theory and indigenous knowledge systems as conceptual lenses, the paper evaluates case studies, including the Great Green Wall initiative, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and governance reforms, and the potential and challenges of current initiatives. The analysis underscores the necessity of holistic, adaptive, and inclusive frameworks for sustainable development. The analysis underscores the necessity of holistic, adaptive, and inclusive frameworks for sustainable development.

Paper short abstract:

Agriculture is a critical driver of economic growth in Africa but faced with interconnected challenges of poor governance, inefficient agricultural systems which threaten food security and livelihoods. This must be discussed and address to find solutions that resonates with key stakeholders.

Paper long abstract:

Africa continues to heavily depend on agriculture for economic growth and survival. Agriculture is however threatened with the interrelated challenges of land disputes, poor governance and unstable macroeconomics indicators. It also challenged with poor skills, lack of enthusiasm of the youth and the use of outdated technology. It is also challenged with environmental degradation, disruption of biodiversity and natural resource depletion. Many farming communities are facing severe land contestations arising out of climate change, intense urbanization, population growth and lack of access to fertile lands. There is also the challenge of high input cost, limited market access and reduced purchasing due to high inflation, currency instability and trade irregularities. Interestingly many countries in Africa have failed to establish efficient land policies and sustainable farming methods to address these challenges agriculture face.

Using a multiple case study approach, the study focused on three countries in Africa, specifically Ghana, Zambia and Kenya and used both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the nexus between their governance systems, agriculture systems and macroeconomic indicators; and their ability to improve the agricultural resilience, income generation and food security. The study presents the multifaceted challenges of these countries on food security and agricultural development and highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to address the intricate interactions between the variables causing food insecurity in Africa.

Paper short abstract:

Exploring transdisciplinary approaches to pandemic and epidemic resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa, this research examines how community knowledge and social science contribute to crisis management, offering insights for global responses to intersecting challenges.

Paper long abstract:

This research explores the evolution of transdisciplinary approaches in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2012 to 2023. Drawing on a decade of research, I examine how social science contributions and community knowledge have been integrated into existing preparedness and response architectures, focusing on three case studies: neglected zoonoses (2012-2014), the West Africa Ebola outbreak (2014-2016), and the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2023).

The research investigates the intersection of power, knowledge, and crisis, emphasising multi-actor, community co-production that integrates disciplinary and non-academic knowledge. By analysing the politics of knowledge and power dynamics in research and policy implementation, this work advances our understanding of transdisciplinary approaches that recognise the complex socio-cultural contexts of outbreaks.

A new project in Sierra Leone will be presented, focusing on how transdisciplinarity has been integrated across existing pandemic/epidemic preparedness and response architectures. This research examines innovative community actions to lower disease spread and the critical role of local, integrated responses where robust health systems are lacking.

By highlighting these grassroots initiatives that blend traditional practices with modern approaches, including digital innovation, to crisis management, this research offers insights into how Africa's experience can inform broader global responses to intersecting crises. It reinforces that sustainable development in a polycrisis era requires not only adaptation but also innovation grounded in the unique strengths of affected communities.

Paper short abstract:

This systematic review contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainability management in development projects by addressing the gap in studies to advance theory and practice to meet the distinct needs of international development project management practices.

Paper long abstract:

International development projects, aimed at improving socio-economic conditions for the world’s poorest face a high failure rate compared to projects in other sectors. Non-standardised and inconsistent project management approaches, coupled with challenges in the operating environment, exacerbate this issue.

This study aims to identify key areas of project management in development industry to explore main themes or drivers. By examining the delivery context and project management practices, it seeks to identify critical areas to enhance their success rates.

Through a systematic literature review the research identified themes and focus areas for developing and improving both theory and practice, specifically for projects funded as ‘aid’ through international development cooperation mechanisms.

The study highlighted key factors influencing project outcomes including the challenges of managing in complex multi-stakeholder environments, competencies of project leaders, the importance of a robust project design phase for collective-action efforts and overall risk management and governance. Sustainability emerged as a significant theme, emphasizing the growing need to align project management practices with sustainable development.

The findings underscore the need for management practices that can offer more relevant guidance than the main standards currently do. While the evolving field of development projects acknowledges the benefits of using international standards, it also highlights their limitations in addressing the unique challenges of global and complex development projects.

There is increasing recognition of the need to address systemic challenges to advance professional practice in the sector, improve performance and align development project management with contemporary sustainability considerations.