The AREA Africa Ghana project is part of Italy’s broader international cooperation programme, developed within a balanced public–private partnership framework, under the Mattei Plan for Africa. It specifically falls within the Action for the Strengthening of Agro-Food Ecosystems in Africa (AREA), co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
CIHEAM Bari serves as the knowledge partner and implementing body for the public component, while BFI acts as the private partner. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is the public partner of the Project.
Within this framework, CIHEAM Bari officially launches its socio-community activities, starting with the Tertiary Educational Support Programme 2026, developed in partnership with the Aveyime Development Association (ADA).
On Saturday, 31 January, a scholarship award ceremony was held in the public square of Aveyime-Battor, in the North Tongu District, Volta Region, marking an important milestone in the project’s capacity-building and human capital development component.
The event celebrated the awarding of 61 university scholarships to talented students originating from Aveyime-Battor, who will pursue studies in agronomy and science-related field, with the aim of strengthening local expertise and contributing to the future development of the agri-food sector in the area.
The ceremony was attended by high-level national and local authorities, including the Ambassador of Italy to Ghana and Togo, Ms. Laura Ranalli; the Liaison Officer of AICS Ghana, Mr. Enrico Roggi; the Ag. Chief Director Mr. Paul Siameh and the Director of Feed Ghana Programme, Mr. Bright Demordzi, both of Ministry of Food and Agriculture; the Member of Parliament and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; the Volta Region Minister, Hon. James Gunu; the District Chief Executive of the North Tongu District Assembly, Hon. Victoria Amefadzi Yawa Doe; the District Education Director, Mrs. Isabella Regina Ayimey.
Mr. Enrico Azzone, CIHEAM Bari Program Coordinator for AREA Africa, with the Project Manager in Ghana, Mr. Alessandro Lorato, organized and hosted the ceremony. The BFI Farm Manager, Mr. Andrea Cavallo was also present to witness the event.
Representatives of the Aveyime Development Association and Battor Traditional Council, authorities and other local stakeholders also took part in the event, highlighting the strong community ownership and institutional collaboration underpinning the initiative.
CIHEAM Bari scholarship programme represents a strategic investment in youth and education, reinforcing the link between academic training, innovation, and the sustainable development of local agri-food ecosystems.
