The Development Studies Association (DSA) of the UK and Ireland is to establish the Development Studies Association of Africa (DSA-A) to serve as a formidable umbrella for independent African voices on developmental issues on the continent.

The DSA founded in 1978 with membership of 55 organisations and 1200 individuals was aimed at mobilising collective capacity and knowledge for development.

Dr. Joseph Assan, Technical Advisor to DSA, Africa announced this at the end of a two-day conference on sustainable development on the theme: “Independent Ideas for an Independent Africa: “Sustaining Africa’s Development in a Post 2015 World,” in Accra on Thursday.

He said the Association is to nurture the next generation of development professionals and also invest in the infrastructure for world-leading development studies.

“It is to connect and promote development research and teaching to increase its impact,” he added.

He said the conference aimed to create a platform for independent voices on how to shape the development future of the African continent.

Professor Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi, Co-Convener, DSA, Africa, said one major developmental challenges identified during the discussion are the issue of funding education to the highest in Africa.

He called on governments across Africa to contribute their resources to sustainable quality education for national development.**