African Plant Breeders Association Honours Prof. Eric Danquah with Meritorious Service Award

The African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) recently conferred a Meritorious Service Award on renowned Crop Scientist and 2022 Africa Food Prize Laureate, Prof. Eric Y. Danquah, Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana.

The award, according to the Association, recognises Prof. Danquah’s exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution to the establishment and growth of the APBA. It also acknowledges his pioneering efforts in championing agricultural innovation and advancing plant breeding science across Africa.

The award was presented by Prof. Julia Sibiya, President of the APBA and Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, who commended Prof. Danquah for his visionary leadership and the foundational work that continues to inspire the Association’s growth. 

The award citation in part read, “In recognition of your visionary leadership, as the Inaugural President of the African Plant Breeders Association. You played a pioneering role in shaping the Associations foundation, uniting plant breeders across Africa and championing scientific excellence.”

Prof. Danquah, who delivered a keynote address at the 4th African Plant Breeders Association Conference held at Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, served as the Inaugural President of the APBA from 2019 to 2023. Under his leadership, the Association laid the foundation for strengthening collaboration among African scientists and promoting research that addresses food insecurity, malnutrition and the challenges of climate change.

Reflecting on the recognition, Prof. Danquah described the award as “a meaningful milestone that celebrates a shared vision for agricultural transformation in Africa.” He said it represents recognition of a collective journey to build a strong Association that speaks confidently to Africa’s needs and potential.

The WACCI Director added that “personally, the honour serves as a reminder of the responsibility to shape institutions that endure beyond individual legacies, while professionally, it reinforces the belief that sustained investment in talent, science and collaboration remains the surest path to transforming agriculture on the continent.”

Prof. Danquah also used the opportunity to salute the various individuals and groups who have supported the vision and mission of the Association. He stated that, “the award is not mine alone. It belongs to the many colleagues, students, partners and institutions who shared the vision and worked tirelessly to make APBA a reality.”

Prof. Danquah, who also serves as the Chair of the Governing Board of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) and a lifelong advocate for increased investment in African research, reiterated his commitment to advancing scientific excellence and talent development to tackle Africa’s food security challenges.

Encouraging young African scientists and researchers, he urged them to believe in the value of their work and to pursue depth, excellence and service to their communities. “The challenges before us are great, but so are the opportunities. Africa needs you, your ideas, your leadership, your persistence. Do not wait for perfect conditions. Start where you are, with what you have and keep moving forward,” he said. 

He expressed optimism that the next generation of African scientists will achieve breakthroughs that will define the continent’s food systems, economies and global relevance, noting that the collective task is to provide the support that allows them to rise.