A team from the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, led by the Founding Director Professor Eric Danquah, has paid a courtesy call on Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, to explore areas of collaboration in advancing agricultural research.
During the visit, Prof. Danquah congratulated Dr. Otokunor on his appointment and provided an overview of WACCI’s remarkable journey and its impact across Africa. He highlighted the centre’s role in equipping African youth through the Kofi Annan Enterprise Hub for Agricultural Innovation (KAEHAI), which trains and supports young entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
Despite these successes, Prof. Danquah underscored a critical challenge facing research institutions in Africa—the lack of government funding. He emphasized that for Africa to achieve food security, governments must invest in research and higher education institutions to prevent the loss of talented scientists who could drive innovation and progress in agriculture.
He also drew attention to the long-standing challenges in Ghana’s agricultural sector, including low crop yields, increasing food imports, and the worsening effects of climate change. Without urgent action, he warned, these issues could escalate, deepening food insecurity and economic instability.
He commended President His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for creating the Office of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness and argued that Ghana must follow proven global pathways to agricultural transformation.
Dr. Otokunor reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting institutions like WACCI, which are making significant contributions to agricultural development through science, technology, and innovation. He also highlighted the need for WACCI and the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness to explore opportunities for commercializing WACCI’s research outputs, ensuring the centre’s long-term sustainability.
Present at the meeting were the Deputy Director Administration, Teaching and Learning Dr. Daniel Dzidzienyo, Assistant Registrar, Mrs. Barbara Dodoo-Arhin, Team Lead, Project Management and Resource Mobilisation, Mrs. Jennifer Saint-Acquaye, Research Development Officer Mr. Forgive Agboada and Team Lead Communications, Ms. Gloria Azumah. Representing the Office of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness were Administrator, Mr. Gilbert Mohammed Ibrahim and Technical Advisors, Dr. Frank Ackah, Dr. Selorm Ayeduvar and Mr. Baba Hassan Namaa.
