Bernard A. Boateng (BSc, MPhil (Ghana))

Mr. Bernard Agyeman Boateng is an entomologist whose research work focuses on understanding the behavior of insect pests, their interaction with the environment, and the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches for managing them. He has conducted several studies on the effectiveness of different insecticides and botanicals for the protection of both stored grains and field crops against insect pests.
Part of his research also focuses on the role of insect pollinators in crop production and how climate change affects insect populations. the cultural, economic, and ecological implications of insect consumption in southern Ghana, with the goal of promoting safe and sustainable insect harvesting practices.
He is currently using molecular tools to identify Leucinodes species attacking exportable garden eggs in Ghana, as well as developing quantitative risk models to characterize, assess and mitigate Leucinodes and thrips infestations in garden eggs. He is also modelling the pest introduction risk of fruit fly in imported table grapes to Ghana as well as using population matrix modelling to assess efficacy of some botanical insecticides against stored product pests.

Academic Qualifications

• MPhil. Crop Science (UG, 1996)           
• BSc. (Agric) (UG, 1992)

Research interest 
He has a keen research interest in the conservation of insect pollinators in crops, especially mango orchards, and evaluation of efficacy of ecorational insecticides against pests of vegetables, fruit crops, and stored products. He is passionate about exploring the impact of environmental factors on the natural enemies of pests of stored products, and risk analysis modelling of invasive insects, with a view to developing sustainable pest management strategies. Additionally, part of his research has focused postharvest handling of stored products, vegetables and fruits by the postharvest value chain actors and on their knowledge, perceptions, and practices in the management of pests and maintenance of good quality.

Current research/project(s)

• Using molecular tools to identify Leucinodes species attacking exportable garden eggs in Ghana.
• Development of quantitative risk models to characterise, assess and mitigate insect infestations in exportable garden eggs in Ghana.
• Modelling of pest introduction risk of fruit fly in imported table grapes to Ghana.
• Use of Leslie matrix model to assess efficacy of some botanical insecticides against stored product pests.

Past research projects

• Human Development Report for the East Mamprusi District in the Northern Region in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness for the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Ghana.
• Survey on Alternative Livelihoods Programme in Developing interventions in selected mining communities for Minerals Development Fund of the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, Ghana.

Awards

• Visiting Scholar Harvard Centre for African Development, USA, (2018) (Spring 2018 semester, 6 Mths);
• Cambridge Africa Partnership for Research Excellence (CAPREx) Fellowship Award  (2016, 4 Mths)
• VolkswagenStiftung Foundation Junior Fellowship Grant Award (2011-2014) - One of ten recipients from Africa.
• William Fredrick Dreer Travel Award, Cornell University (2007): “Experiential Learning in the Spice and Orchid Industries of Southern Asia (India, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand).”
  • Visiting Scientist (2008), Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore, India 2008 (3 Mths) 
  • Visiting Scientist (2008), Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Bangkheng Campus, Thailand (4 Mths)

Recent publications

• Boateng, B. A., William Azalekor, W., Boamah, E. A., and Nwankwo, E. N. (2017) Development of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) on dried root and tuber chips. ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 12 (4):
• Nwankwo, E. N., Egwuatu, R. I., Okonkwo, N. J., Boateng, B. A. (2014) Screening of Ten Maize Varieties, Zea Mays (L.) For Resistance Against Prostephanus truncatus (Horn)(Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) from Different Zones of Nigeria and Ghana. Academic Journal of Entomology 7 (1): 17-26.
• Kyerematen, R. A. K. and Boateng, B. A Haruna, M. and Eziah, V. Y. (2013) Decomposition and insects succession pattern of exposed domestic pig (Sus scrofa L.) carrion. ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences 8(11): 756 -765.
• Kyerematen, R. A. K. and Boateng, B. A. and Twumasi, E. (2012) Insect diversity and succession patterns on different carrion types. Journal of Research in Biology 2 (7): 683-690.
• Dauda, Z., Ayertey, J. N., and Boateng, B. A. (2009) Development of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on five varieties of Bambara groundnut Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdcourt, in Ghana. Journal of Arid Agriculture 18: 38-44
• Aidoo, I. E., Boateng, B. A., Obeng-Ofori, D., Cudjoe, A. R. and Akuamoah, (2009) R. K. Efficacy of Neem oil and Neemazal against the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) in stored maize. Journal of Ghana Science Association 11 (1): 129-139.
• Boateng, B. A. and Kusi, F. (2008) Toxicity of Jatropha Seed Oil to Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and its Parasitoid, Dinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 4 (8): 945-951.

Professional membership(s)

• Ghana Science Association
• Entomological Society of Ghana
• African Association of Insect Scientists