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Who we are
The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) is a partnership between the University of Ghana (UG) and Cornell University, USA that was established in June 2007 with funding from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) at the University of Ghana to train Plant Breeders in Africa working on the improvement of African crops train in local environments for farmers in Africa. The Centre has expanded its scope to train Seed Scientists in Africa.
What we do
WACCI is training Plant Breeders and Seed Scientists for the sub-region on classical plant breeding and complementary molecular biology technologies needed for efficient development of superior and adaptable crops. WACCI is one institution among many that are working towards eradicating food insecurity in the sub-region through the training of the people needed to breed and to improve access to high quality seeds to improve food security crops for the rural farmers who currently cultivate unimproved low yielding varieties. WACCI is contributing the needed human resources for the strengthening breeding and seed science programmes of the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in SSA.
News Highlights
Prof. Eric Y. Danquah, Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana has been elected as a Fellow of The African Academy of Sciences (AAS).
The announcement of the 2025 AAS Fellowship cohort was made during the Science Forum South Africa 2025, following a highly competitive and rigorous selection process conducted by the AAS Governing Council.
Prof. Sanatu Mustapha Alidu, an alumna of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, has led a team of researchers at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, to develop six new climate-smart, drought-tolerant cowpea varieties. This marks the first crop varieties ever released by UDS since its establishment over 30 years.
The African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) recently conferred a Meritorious Service Award on renowned Crop Scientist and 2022 Africa Food Prize Laureate, Prof. Eric Y. Danquah, Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana.
The award, according to the Association, recognises Prof. Danquah’s exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution to the establishment and growth of the APBA. It also acknowledges his pioneering efforts in championing agricultural innovation and advancing plant breeding science across Africa.
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Student Population
176
Alumni
20
Countries
Events
Mar 24
Venue: Online
Time: 09:00 a.m.
