Ten WACCI students from six countries have successfully defended their PhD theses at the School of Graduate Studies, University of Ghana. They comprised nine students from the 3rd cohort and one from the 4th cohort. The student from the 4th cohort, Egbadzor Kenneth Fafa, completed his thesis research a year ahead of his scheduled completion date. At the event, which took place from May 4-8, 2015, each student delivered a forty-minute presentation on their thesis research. The standard of the presentations was very high. The Francophone students were especially commended by the external examiners for excellent command of the English Language.
Below is the list of students and their theses topics:
- TANDZI NGOUNE LILIANE (Cameroon) - Development of high-yielding and stable maize hybrids tolerant to acid soils of the tropical humid forest zones of Cameroon
- EGBADZOR KENNETH FAFA (Ghana) - Genetic control and breeding for seed size and colour in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)
- LAOUALI MAHAMANE NASSER (Niger) - Combining ability and yield performance studies of tropical maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm under drought stress and well-watered environments
- ERNEST BAAFI (Ghana) - Development of end-user preferred sweet potato varieties in Ghana
- OUMAROU SOULEYMANE (Niger) - Genetic studies on salt tolerance in rice (O. sativa L) using conventional and molecular methods
- UMAR MUHAMMAD LAWAN (Nigeria) - Breeding for grain quality traits in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp]
- MAFOUASSON APALA HORTENSE (Cameroon) - Genetic analysis of tolerance to low soil nitrogen in intermediate maturing maize inbred lines
- JOSEPH ADJEBENG-DANQUAH (Ghana) - Genetic studies of physiological and morphological traits associated with drought tolerance in cassava genotypes
- BATIENO T. BENOIT JOSEPH (Burkina Faso) - Genetic analysis of drought tolerance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)
- KOSGEI ALICE JELIMO (Kenya) - Genetic analysis and marker assisted breeding for drought tolerance and yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties
All 10 students are expected to graduate in July 2015. They expressed their gratitude to WACCI and all those who contributed to their training.
The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Professor Kwadwo Ofori participated in all of the oral examinations. Other participants included the following:
- Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei - Professor of Plant Molecular Virology and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, University of Ghana
- Prof. Prof. Ebenezer O. Owusu - Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana
- Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah - Professor of Plant Molecular Genetics and Director of WACCI, University of Ghana
- Prof. Pangirayi Tongoona - Professor of Plant Breeding and Deputy Director of WACCI, University of Ghana
- Prof. Vernon Gracen - Emeritus Professor of Plant Breeding, Cornell University, USA
- Dr. Craig Yencho - Professor of Plant Breeding, North Carolina State University
- Prof. Shehu Ado - Professor of Plant Breeding and Vice-Chancellor, Al-Qalam University, Nigeria
- Prof. Hussein Shimelis - Associate Professor of Plant Breeding and Deputy Director, African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI), University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Prof. Richard Akromah - Associate Professor of Plant Breeding and Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, KNUST, Ghana
- Dr. Kofi. Bimpong - Scientist, Africa Rice Centre, St Loius, Senegal
- Dr. Hans Adu-Dapaah - Immediate past Director and Chief Scientist, Crop Research Institute, Fumesua, Ghana
- Dr. Joe Manu-Aduening - Senior Research Scientist, Crop Research Institute, Fumesua, Ghana
- Dr. Mbua J. Ngeve - Chief Scientist, Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Cameroon
- Dr. Niaba Teme - Plant Breeder, Institut d'Economie Rurale (IER), Mali
- Dr Babaucarr Manneh - Principal Scientist & Breeder, African Rice Centre, Senegal
- Dr Issa Drabo - Cowpea Breeder, DRREA du Centre/INERA , Burkina Faso
- Dr. Andrew Efisue – Plant Breeder, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- Prof. John Ofosu-Anim – Professor of Plant Physiology and Dean of School of Agriculture, University of Ghana
- Prof. Essie Blay – Associate Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Ghana
- Prof. Isaac Asante – Professor of Genetics, University of Ghana
- Prof. Frank Kumaga – Professor of Plant Physiology, University of Ghana
- Dr. Eric Nartey – Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana
- Dr. Naalamle Amissah – Lecturer, University of Ghana
- Dr. Beatrice Efie – Plant Breeder, WACCI, University of Ghana
- Dr. John Eleblu – Coordinator for Partnerships, Resource Mobilization & Visibility, WACCI, University of Ghana
- Dr. Agyemang Danquah – Coordinator for Teaching Programme, WACCI, University of Ghana
- Dr. Daniel Dzidzienyo – Coordinator for Research Programme, WACCI, University of Ghana
Graduands in a group photograph after the oral examinations