Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante, an alumnus of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, has been honoured with the inaugural AfricaRice Council of Ministers Award for Excellence in Rice Research and Development in Africa, emerging as the winner in the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) category.
The award was presented by the outgoing Chair of the AfricaRice Council of Ministers, Prof. Marie-Thérèse Sombo, with the support of the AfricaRice Director General, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, and Deputy Director General, Dr. Prem Bindraban, on 6 November 2026 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in recognition of Prof. Asante’s outstanding contributions to rice research, breeding and development in Africa. His recognition highlights the importance of scientific excellence and collaboration in strengthening the continent’s agricultural sector.
Prof. Asante dedicated the recognition to the scientists, technicians, field workers, farmers, mentors and research partners whose collective contributions have supported the advancement of rice research.
He also acknowledged the support of the Director-General of CSIR-Ghana, Prof. Paul Pinnock Bosu, former Directors of CSIR-CRI, and Prof. Eric Danquah, Founding Director of WACCI, whom he recognised for his mentorship and guidance throughout his career.
Prof. Asante has committed the entire US$5,000 cash prize accompanying the award towards establishing a modern Crop Museum at CSIR-CRI, an initiative aimed at preserving Ghana’s agricultural research heritage.
Prof. Asante was a member of WACCI’s first cohort of the PhD in Plant Breeding programme and currently serves as the Director of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI). His achievement underscores the continued contributions of WACCI-trained scientists to agricultural research and development in Africa.
WACCI congratulates Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante on this outstanding achievement and celebrates his continued contribution to rice research and agricultural development in Africa.
