Wisdom Akpalu, Director of EfD Ghana and Chairman of the Fisheries Commission, has been appointed as Ghana’s representative on the Bureau of the 6th Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE-6) of the African Union (AU), a committee that Ghana is heading.
The appointment, announced during the 6th Ordinary Session of the STC-ARDWE-6, further strengthens EfD Ghana’s visibility and influence in regional policy dialogue on sustainable resource management.
The STC-ARDWE oversees the monitoring and evaluation of AU decisions in its sectors, promotes synergies across related areas, and ensures alignment with AU declarations and continental commitments on agriculture, rural development, water, and the environment.
The 6th Ordinary Session of the STC-ARDWE-6, held from 21–24 October 2025 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, reviewed progress made in implementing previous AU and STC decisions and adopted new frameworks and recommendations to guide the work of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) for the next two years.
"A dream come true"
Reflecting on his appointment, Wisdom Akpalu described it as “a dream come true.” He said, “Beyond deepening my influence as an academic, this opportunity gives EfD-Ghana greater visibility and a stronger voice to contribute to policy discussions at both national and international levels.”
As Ghana’s representative, Wisdom Akpalu plays a key role in advancing regional dialogue and shaping policy directions on agriculture, rural development, water, and environmental management.
Earlier in October, he chaired the Technical and Experts Session of the Committee, held from 21 – 23 October 2025, which set the stage for the Ministerial Session on 24 October. The sessions brought together ministers, technical experts, and AU member state representatives to deliberate on strategies for strengthening food systems, fisheries governance, and environmental resilience.
Will contribute to policy innovation and collaboration
The tenure of Ghana’s First Vice Chair position spans two years, renewable for an additional term — a period expected to see Ghana contribute significantly to policy innovation and regional collaboration within the AU framework.
Ghana’s delegation to the AU session was led by Hon. Emelia Arthur (MP), Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, whose leadership and engagement earned Ghana broad support among member states.
Akpalu’s appointment also positions EfD Ghana as a stronger partner to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and other national institutions. It offers a platform to amplify EfD-Ghana’s research, share evidence-based insights, and influence regional and continental policies on fisheries and environmental sustainability.