ICED CEO Dr. David Ameyaw recently concluded his participation in a 2-day conference on "Fostering Transparency, Collaboration and Coordination in Monitoring and Evaluation for Development". The conference, held from December 16-17, in Mogadishu, Somalia, convened several M&E experts along with representatives from local and national governments, donor organizations, and civil society organizations. Together, participants would engage in discussions to understand M&E within the African, and specifically Somali, context which included examining the current M&E landscape, identifying challenges and opportunities, and discovering practical ways to implement M&E for enhanced national impact.
On Monday morning, December 16, Dr. Ameyaw joined other M&E experts from UNICEF, and Somalia and Kenya ministries and NGOs in a panel discussion on Cultivating M&E Culture in Somalia. He then engaged conference participants during the afternoon program, presenting a case study of M&E on "The role evaluation can play in developing a country". His presentation cited success stories from ICED's perspective, particularly as it applies to Africa and, specifically, Somalia.
He also examined Somalia's data landscape, recommending the use of 4 A's (availability, accessibility, affordability, and awareness) to assess essential services like healthcare and education. The day concluded with Dr. Ameyaw's participating in a panel discussion on "Use of Data in Decision Making for Public Policies and Programs".
The second and final day of the conference, Tuesday, December 17, centered around presentations and panel discussions. Dr. Ameyaw took part in an afternoon panel on "Strengthening Collaboration and Interagency partnerships in Impact Evaluation", sharing his various experiences of the impact of international and local collaborations.
Along with being an opportunity to learn from and intentionally engage with each other, the 2-day conference was an immersive experience in the Somali culture. Participants were treated to local foods and were able to engage in local practices, including a Qur'an recitation and health and prayer breaks. They also had the opportunity to network with other international experts and M&E stakeholders.
As CEO of ICED and a seasoned M&E expert, Dr. David Ameyaw leads efforts to enhance evaluation practices globally, emphasizing equitable methodologies that include diverse perspectives. Together with the Monitoring and Evaluation Department—of the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MoPIED), Federal Republic of Somalia—ICED aims to identify gaps and improve service delivery in Somalia and beyond.
