My desire over the years has been to work within Ghana so I could be with my family and also tackle an African agricultural problem the solution of which would benefit local farmers.Vivian Oduro an Agricultural Research Scientist graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) with a Bachelor s Degree in Agriculture.
Under a WINROCK scholarship for African Women Leaders in Agriculture and Environment (AWLAE) she obtained an M.Phil in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology in the same University. Her research interests include tissue culture applications use of gene markers and gene manipulations as tools for plant breeding. Vivian recounts her father cultivating several thousands of acres of various crops especially maize in her early days. It was interesting to watch him work and share his joy when he saw his seedlings grow and yield several folds at maturity. Educating his children was one of his priorities in life. He took a special liking to his children who were studious and loved to aspire to great heights in education. Vivian turned out to be one of such. Among her siblings she was the first to obtain a masters degree and the first to begin a PhD. My dad is very proud of me says Vivian A year after obtaining a masters degree Vivian was employed as a research scientist at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute (BINARI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Her work was in the determination of suitable tissue culture growth medium for a variety of crops. She also served in various administrative positions coordinating and supervising research development and commercial activities. She was also involved in providing technical guidance to commercial activities and training of new production workers. For the past 12 years Vivian had always wanted to pursue a PhD. It was an overwhelming joy therefore to be admitted to the WACCI programme because it satisfied her desire. I see it as a blessing and an answered prayer. Vivian affirms. The Bible says 'To whom much is given much is expected Vivian sees this offer first as a gift from God and also as a responsibility to contribute to humanity as she seeks to improve the productivity of sweet potato. I welcome this challenge and will seek to execute this task with God s help and blessings She concludes.