Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah is a distinguished Professor of Plant Genetics at the Department of Crop Science, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana. With a rich academic and research background, Professor Danquah has made significant contributions to agricultural science and education in Africa and beyond. His work has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards and honors, including the University of Ghana Distinguished Award for Meritorious Service in 2013, the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agriculture and Life Sciences (GCHERA) World Agriculture Prize in 2018, the UG Meritorious Award for Outstanding Services in 2021, and the 2022 Africa Food Prize Laureate. Additionally, he was acknowledged as one of the 100 Most Reputable Africans by Reputation Poll International in both 2023 and 2024 and received the Outstanding African Achiever Award from the African Genius Awards in 2023.
Throughout his career, Professor Danquah has held several key leadership roles. Notably, he was the Founding President of the African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) from 2019 to 2023. Since 2007, he has served as the Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana, an initiative established with funding from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). His leadership at WACCI has been instrumental in training a new generation of plant breeders to develop improved varieties of staple crops for West and Central Africa. Additionally, he served as the Director of the Biotechnology Centre at the University of Ghana from 2014 to 2019 and chaired the Governing Council of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, Ghana.
Professor Danquah’s contributions extend beyond administrative roles; he has been a vital force in research and consultancy. He has consulted for several international organizations, including the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His participation in over 140 international meetings has helped shape agricultural research and policies globally. Moreover, he has served on numerous high-profile advisory committees and panels, contributing his expertise to various critical agricultural projects.
Educationally, Professor Danquah holds a BSc in Agriculture (Crop Science) from the University of Ghana, an MPhil in Plant Breeding, and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Cambridge, UK. His academic career at the University of Ghana began in 1994 when he was appointed as a Lecturer. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Senior Lecturer in 2001, an Associate Professor in 2004, and a Full Professor in 2007. Internationally, he holds adjunct professorships at Cornell University in the USA, the University of Western Australia, and Murdoch University in Australia. He also spent a year as a Visiting Scientist at the BBSRC-Long Ashton Research Institute in the UK from 2000 to 2001.
Under Professor Danquah’s leadership, the WACCI project has enrolled 160 PhD students in Plant Breeding from 19 African countries, with 111 graduates who are now leading plant breeding programs across the continent. He introduced a new master’s program in Seed Science and Technology, which has attracted 69 students over five years. Additionally, WACCI has released three improved maize hybrids and three hybrid tomato varieties for commercialization in Ghana, which yield significantly higher than traditional varieties.
Professor Danquah has been instrumental in attracting approximately US$ 40 million for research and development projects at the University of Ghana. This includes US$ 13.5 million from the World Bank Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project and a competitive research grant of US$ 1 million from the African Union Commission for research on food and nutrition security in staple crops of West Africa. His efforts have facilitated the establishment of several international partnerships and link programs, creating opportunities for PhD placements for University of Ghana students at world-class institutions.
Beyond his professional achievements, Professor Danquah is passionate about mentorship and philanthropy. He founded the Eric Danquah Foundation to mentor future agricultural scientists and promote genetic innovation in agriculture across Africa. His dedication to using science for development and his commitment to nurturing young academics have made him a pivotal figure in the field of plant genetics and agricultural research.
Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah’s exemplary career in plant genetics and dedication to agricultural innovation have made him a vital contributor to enhancing food security and advancing scientific research in Africa. His leadership and mentorship continue to inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers.
