PROFILE OF PROFESSOR ERIC DANQUAH
Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah is a globally recognized plant geneticist, science leader, and Professor of Plant Molecular Genetics at the University of Ghana. He is the Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), established in 2007, which has become a top centre for postgraduate training and research in plant breeding, genetics, and seed science. Under his leadership, WACCI has enrolled over 160 PhD students from 19 African countries and graduated more than 120, many of whom now lead agricultural research and innovation across the continent. He led the teams that released the WACCI high-yielding maize and tomato hybrids now under commercialization in Ghana.
Professor Danquah has helped WACCI raise over US$40 million in funding, building world-class infrastructure and advancing research for food security. He has published more than 180 peer-reviewed scientific articles and contributed to books and policy documents on crop improvement, biotechnology, and food systems. His research focuses on identifying important genes and traits in staple crops and has played a key role in driving agricultural transformation through science and innovation. He has served in various leadership roles at the University of Ghana, including Dean of International Programmes, Director of the Biotechnology Centre, and Head of the Department of Crop Science. He is also Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Eric Danquah Foundation, and has served as Chairman of the Advisory Board for Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects, as well as Chair of the Governing Council of the University of Mines and Technology, Ghana.
Internationally, Professor Danquah is an Adjunct Professor at Cornell University (USA) and Murdoch University (Australia). He was the inaugural President of the African Plant Breeders Association (2019–2023) and serves on many international boards and committees, including the UK-CGIAR Centre, the Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab at Kansas State University, and the Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement at Cornell University, USA.
He holds a BSc in Crop Science from the University of Ghana, and both an MPhil in Plant Breeding and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Cambridge, UK. Professor Danquah has received many national and international awards, including the Africa Food Prize (2022), the GCHERA World Agriculture Prize (2018), and the University of Ghana Distinguished Award for Meritorious Service (2014). He was named among the 100 Most Reputable Africans by Reputation Poll International in 2023 and 2024 and received the Outstanding African Achiever Award from the African Genius Awards in 2023.
Professor Danquah is the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana National Research Fund and a former Independent Board Director of the Agricultural Development Bank, Ghana. He is known for his commitment to mentoring early-career scientists, building partnerships, and advancing youth and women in agriculture. Passionate about education, science policy, and innovation, he works tirelessly to promote resilient food systems and sustainable development for Africa.