21 practitioners from 15 civil society organisations (CSOs) from Togo, Liberia, Nigeria and Ghana have had their policy research skills harnessed in a three day training organized by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI).The training on Policy Research Methodology and Analysis took place from October 24 to 26 at the Training Centre of WACSI in Accra.The training content and methodology utilized equipped participants with robust skills to undertake policy research that would contribute to the body of existing knowledge as well as proffer vital recommendations to improve the living conditions of citizens in their respective countries.Participants at the training expressed their interest in utilizing knowledge and skills gained from this course to promote good governance through educative and fact-based analysis of state policies.They are maximizing this experience sharing platform to deepen their understanding of how to conduct rigorous research that would positively affect the thinking and actions of policy makers.They seek to acquire research techniques that would enable them to conduct research that would add significant value to civil society’s contribution to support governments and policy makers in the process of thinking through and taking decisions that would affect the lives of citizens of Togo, Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana.The facilitator of the training, Mr. George Osei Bimpeh, an alumnus of WACSI’s Next Generation Internship and Country Director of SEND Ghana utilized an engaging approach to facilitate the training.He effectively engaged the participants through questions and answers sessions, discussions that encouraged experience sharing, and sessions to explain essential research concepts to participants.“The facilitator was very energetic and he has a good understanding of the subject”, noted Prof. Bala Dogo, a participant from Care and Action Research, Nigeria. Participants commended that the facilitator communicated well and employed a very effective and participatory approach to deliver the training.Rev. Nwibo Joseph from Family Reformation and Community Development Initiative in Ebonyi State, Nigeria commended the training. He pointed out that he has acquired vital techniques to conduct rigorous research that would enable his organisation to effectively engage with policy and decision makers with relevant information and approaches to address social problems facing his community.WACSI, a leading capacity building Institute in West Africa that serves civil society by providing them with requisite skills to promote professionalism within the sector organizes such trainings to continuously strengthen CSOs in West Africa.The Institute has conducted trainings that have benefitted CSOs from 11 of the 15 West African States.