News Highlights

The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana participated in the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026, held at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda, from 31 August to 4 September 2026.

The 20th Africa Food Systems Forum was organised under the theme, “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.” It brought together more than 4,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries to explore strategies for transforming Africa’s food systems.

The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, in collaboration with the Cambridge Crop Science Centre (CCSC), University of Cambridge, has organised a two-day workshop on molecular biology techniques for plant science research.

Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, has been elected a Fellow of the Liberia Academy of Sciences (LAS), a distinction conferred in recognition of his outstanding contributions to plant genetics, crop improvement, institution building and postgraduate education in Africa.

Dr. Isata Kamanda, an alumna of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, has been appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Her appointment, announced in a public notice issued by the Office of the President on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, marks another significant milestone for WACCI, as its alumni continue to make meaningful contributions to agricultural development across Africa.

In a bid to strengthen contributions to equitable development through agricultural research, innovation and strategic partnerships, the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) has organised a symposium to advance dialogue on agricultural transformation and sustainable development.

Dr. Mawulawoe Awity, researcher at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, has been named one of the Seed Grant winners in the fifth annual Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge.

The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof.  Daniel Kwadjo Dzidzienyo as its new Director, effective April 1, 2026.

Prof. Eric Y. Danquah, Founding Director, the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, has been recognised as one of  the 100 Most Impactful Educational Personalities in Africa – 2025 by the Global Skills Hub.

The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, in collaboration with researchers at the Digital, Data and Design Institute at Harvard University and Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI), Cornell University will host the Inaugural Advancing Frontiers Conference (AFC) - a fully virtual event scheduled for March 24, 2026.

Thirteen students from the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) have graduated with doctoral degrees in Plant Breeding from the University of Ghana on February 10, 2026, at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana. 

The graduating class included five females and eight males from six African countries: Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda.