Press Release: WACCI 3.0 Stakeholder Engagement Meeting
WACCI Sets Stage for Agricultural Innovation and Collaborative Funding at Stakeholder Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
Event Title: "Seeds of Tomorrow: Cultivating Global Partnerships for Africa's Agricultural Renaissance"
Date: Friday, April 12, 2024
Venue: Hotel Silver Spring, 8727 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) is set to host a transformative Stakeholder Engagement Meeting, aptly themed, "Seeds of Tomorrow: Cultivating Global Partnerships for Africa's Agricultural Renaissance." This convening on April 12, 2024, at the Hotel Silver Spring in Maryland, USA, aims to redefine the paradigms of agricultural excellence and resilience in Africa.
Under the stewardship of Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, Founding Director of WACCI, this gathering is ready to spark a new era of agricultural transformation in Africa. The meeting will unveil the vision and strategy for WACCI 3.0, an ambitious phase aimed at strengthening crop resilience and nurturing innovative agricultural practices that ensure food and nutrition security across the continent.
The meeting to be emceed by Pascaline Songsore will commence with opening remarks from Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, followed by a presentation titled, "Why WACCI 3.0?" by Professor Danquah, elucidating the imperative of evolving WACCI’s capabilities and mission in the face of contemporary challenges.
Dr. Robert Bertram, Chief Scientist at the Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security, USAID, will deliver the keynote address, focusing on "Sustainable Partnerships for Strengthening Resilient Food Systems in Africa," a theme that resonates with WACCI’s objectives.
A significant highlight of the meeting is the first conversation on "Funding African Centres of Excellence," led by Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, Nigeria, with framing remarks that will lay the groundwork for discussions. Esteemed speakers for this session include Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA; Trina S. Haque, Regional Director for Human Development at the World Bank; and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education, Ghana. This session aims to explore sustainable funding mechanisms to enhance research and training capacities in African agricultural centers of excellence.
A ceremony acknowledging the transition of leadership within WACCI’s International Scientific Advisory Board will honour Dr. Eugene Terry’s contributions and welcome Emeritus Professor Ronnie Coffman of Cornell University as the new Chair.
The morning session will end with "Concluding Thoughts," featuring insights from Dr. Rob Bertram of USAID, Dr. Cary Fowler, Special Envoy for Global Food Security at the U.S. Department of State, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA and Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, offering a reflective synopsis of the discussions and outlining the strategic path forward for WACCI and its partners.
Afternoon Session: Igniting Agricultural Innovation
The afternoon will unfold with a series of lightning talks, led by experts who will present breakthrough ideas and strategies for agricultural innovation. Topics include the potential of artificial intelligence in agriculture, sustainable value chain development and the genetic improvement of staple crops by Principal Investigators at WACCI among others. Dr. Stephen Kresovich of the Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement (ILCI) will deliver a talk on "Bridge Building for Crop Improvement: Science, Technology and Education," highlighting the nexus of academia and industry in fostering agricultural advancement. Moderated by Teale Yalch of GAIN, USA and Professor Kwame Offei of the University of Ghana, these sessions will showcase innovative approaches and collaborative efforts to enhance food systems in Africa, underlining the importance of resilient, nutritious and productive agricultural development.
With a lineup of distinguished participants from the World Bank, USAID, the U.S. Department of State, Cornell University, AGRA, and other key stakeholders, this Stakeholder Engagement Meeting is poised to be a pivotal event in shaping the future of agricultural development and food security in Africa.
Since its inception in 2007, WACCI has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation in Africa, training over 151 graduate scholars and revolutionizing crop yields through its research. Its efforts have culminated in the release of over 280 improved crop varieties, significantly enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across Africa.
This Stakeholder Engagement Meeting is a strategic nexus for WACCI, emphasizing the importance of innovative funding and strong partnerships to sustain and scale agricultural development in Africa.
For media inquiries, please contact: info@wacci.ug.edu.gh
WACCI Contact Information:
Website: WACCI Official Website
Email: info@wacci.ug.edu.gh
Phone: [+233558772016]
About WACCI:
The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), established in 2007 with the support of AGRA, is a leading agricultural research and training centre at the University of Ghana, focused on enhancing crop productivity and sustainability in Africa. Through its innovative programs, WACCI aims to drive agricultural transformation and food security across the continent, fostering a new generation of agricultural scientists and entrepreneurs.