A delegation from the University of Cambridge, Crop Science Centre paid a visit to the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) to initiate discussions aimed at strengthening research collaboration between the two institutions.
This visit was also to allow the delegation to gain a better understanding of WACCI’s research capacities.
A group picture of participants of the meeting
In welcoming the delegation, Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, the Founding Director of WACCI, provided an overview of the Centre’s operation and its remarkable achievements over the past sixteen years.
Prof. Danquah noted that these accomplishments demonstrate that Africa has the potential to excel in science if given the right infrastructure for teaching and learning. He emphasized the need for investment in research institutions in Africa and stated that the collaboration between the two Centres is expected to play a significant role in retaining talented individuals within Africa.
Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, the Founding Director of WACCI
WACCI scientists, in presentations, showcased their research on various crops, including cowpea, cassava, frafra potatoes, and bambara groundnuts to the delegation.
The delegation toured WACCI's research fields, where they interacted with faculty and students on the various breeding projects being undertaken in the field.
A visit to WACCI’s research field
WACCI scientists, Dr. Pearl Abu, Lecturer and Leader, Maize Breeding Programme, Dr. Mavis Osei-Wusu, Lecturer and Rice Breeder and Dr. Kwame Sarpong Appiah, a lecturer in the crop science department, delivered a presentation on "Improving Maize and Rice Growth: How AMF Helps."
Prof. Uta Paszkowski, the Leader of the Cereal Symbiosis Group at the University of Cambridge Crop Science Centre highlighted the Centre’s efforts to extend research beyond nitrogen-fixing symbiosis into fungal symbiosis, particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture for cereal crops. She added that they are hoping to collaborate with WACCI’s scientists.
Prof. Uta Paszkowski
The delegation also visited WACCI's Tissue Culture Laboratory and joined a training session on identifying Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF) colonization on plant roots, which enhances growth and resilience by making soil nutrients available for plant use.
Training at WACCI’s Tissue Culture Lab
The visiting delegation included Prof. Uta Paszkowski, Leader of the Cereal Symbiosis Group at the University of Cambridge Crop Science Centre, Dr. Emily Servante, a Post-Doctoral Researcher and Prof. Ruairidh Sawers from Penn State University