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.
WACCI was represented by a four-member delegation comprising Prof. Eric Y. Danquah, Founding Director; Prof. Daniel K. Dzidzienyo, Director; Dr. Agyemang Danquah, Deputy Director for Research, Innovation and Development; and Mrs. Barbara Dodoo-Arhin, Centre Administrator.
A major highlight of WACCI’s participation was the panel session, “Investing in Agri-Innovation Excellence,” on which Prof. Eric Y. Danquah served as a panellist. The discussion examined how sustained investment in human capital, strong institutions and strategic partnerships can advance agricultural innovation across Africa.
During the session, Prof. Danquah underscored the importance of sustained investment in Africa’s scientific capacity. Drawing on WACCI’s experience, he demonstrated how the training of high-quality scientists is strengthening agricultural research and crop improvement across the continent.
He noted that, over the past 19 years, WACCI has produced 133 PhD graduates from 19 African countries. WACCI-trained scientists have collectively contributed to the release of more than 400 improved crop varieties in over 10 countries and mobilised more than US$160 million for their respective research institutions.
These achievements, he explained, demonstrate the far-reaching impact of investing in scientific training and strong African institutions.
Prof. Danquah stressed the need to create an enabling environment that attracts and retains African scientists and allows them to apply their expertise to the continent’s development. This requires stronger universities and research institutions, supported by quality infrastructure, sustained research funding, effective mentorship, strong leadership and opportunities for scientific discovery.
He further emphasised that investment in science must ultimately deliver measurable benefits to farmers. Referring to WACCI’s contribution to maize improvement in Ghana, he noted that the Centre became the first academic institution in the country to release maize hybrids, with a yield potential of approximately 10–12 tonnes per hectare. He explained that research innovations can achieve their full developmental impact only when supported by effective systems for seed multiplication, commercialisation, distribution and farmer adoption.
Prof. Danquah also drew attention to the central role of partnerships in advancing agricultural innovation and food systems transformation. He called for stronger collaboration among African institutions and other agricultural stakeholders to pool expertise, build scientific capacity, share knowledge and expand opportunities for innovation across the continent.
WACCI’s participation in AFSF 2026 provided an important platform to showcase the Centre’s contribution to developing Africa’s scientific capacity and to engage with continental efforts to transform food systems through research, innovation, investment and strategic partnerships.
