West Africa: Regional Summit Focuses on Education in Crises
Ghana will host the "ACCELERATE+" High-Level Conference from September 29–30, 2026, bringing together regional policymakers and experts to address education disruptions caused by conflict and climate change. The summit aims to move beyond pilot projects toward sustainable, system-wide solutions for children in crisis-affected areas.
The conference seeks to address the persistent challenges facing education in West Africa, where climate-related disasters and armed conflict frequently force school closures and disrupt learning. Organised by Associates for Change, CSEA (Nigeria), and CERFODES (Burkina Faso), with backing from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the event serves as a platform to institutionalize proven innovations. Participants will examine how to translate successful small-scale education interventions into national policies. The discussions will cover a wide range of critical topics, including foundational literacy, teacher well-being, innovative financing for crisis settings, and the protection of vulnerable students. The goal is to move beyond the reactive measures often seen in emergency responses, building resilient education systems that can withstand future shocks. By prioritizing policy-relevant evidence, the conference hopes to ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, can access continuous, safe, and quality education.
Why It Matters
This regional cooperation is essential for West Africa, where education systems are increasingly fragile. For policymakers, this platform offers a rare opportunity to share best practices and harmonize policies that cross borders. For development partners, it provides a roadmap for investing in sustainability rather than short-term emergency fixes.
Key Takeaways
- ACCELERATE+ conference held in Accra
- Focus on moving from pilots to national policy
- Tackling education impacts of climate and conflict
- Emphasizing resilient, sustainable learning systems
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