The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) received the Outstanding Agriculture Research Leadership Institution of the Year award at the 2023 Africa Agribusiness Awards held recently in Accra. The theme for this year's awards was "AFCFTA and Africa’s Agriculture Synergy to Stimulate and Accelerate Sustainable Economic Growth and Food Security".
Dr. Agyemang Danquah, Deputy Director of Research, Innovation and Development receiving the award on behalf of WACCI
Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, the founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), received the prestigious recognition as the Outstanding Personality in Agriculture Research Leadership for the Year.
Prof. Eric Danquah (right) Founding Director of WACCI
The Africa Agribusiness Awards serve as a platform to honour individuals and institutions who have made remarkable contributions in promoting growth and sustainability within the agricultural sector. WACCI's recognition reflects its commitment to enhancing food security and fostering sustainable economic growth through cutting-edge research and educational initiatives.
Dr. Agyemang Danquah (Left) and Prof. Eric Danquah (Right)
Over the past 16 years, WACCI's innovative PhD program in plant breeding has delivered 111 PhDs who have remained in Africa to fight food and nutrition insecurity on the continent. Notably, these alumni have developed over 300 varieties tailored to benefit small-scale farmers, as well as secured over 60 million USD for vital development projects and research in their home institutions.