Eric Yirenkyi Danquah holds a professorship in Plant Genetics

at the University of Ghana (UG). He is a former Dean of International Programmes and a former Director of the Biotechnology Centre at UG. As the founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), UG, since 2007, he has been pivotal in training a new generation of plant breeders focused on enhancing staple crops for Africa. His role extends internationally as an Adjunct Professor at Cornell University, USA, the University of Western Australia, and Murdoch University,

Australia. Danquah was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the African Plant Breeders Association (APBA), serving as its first president. He contributes his expertise to various international boards across the globe.

Danquah’s research interests lie in identifying beneficial genes/traits to enhance staple crops across Africa. He has secured over US$40 million in funding, leading to significant advancements including the development of world-class infrastructure for plant breeding education at UG. His contributions to agricultural development include 166 peer-reviewed journal articles and the release of improved maize and tomato hybrids in Ghana.

Danquah achieved his BSc degree in Crop Science from the University of Ghana and furthered his studies with an MPhil in Plant Breeding and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Cambridge, UK. His work has earned him several accolades, including the UG Distinguished Award for Meritorious Service in 2014, the 2018 Laureate, Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations in Agriculture and Life

Sciences (GCHERA) World Agriculture Prize, and the 2022 Laureate, Africa Food Prize. In 2023,and 2024, Reputation Poll International recognized him as one of the 100 most Reputable Africans. The African Genius Awards also honored him with an Outstanding African Achiever Award in 2023. Under his leadership, WACCI has grown into a beacon of excellence, enrolling 160 PhD students from 19 African countries and boasting 111 graduates who are now at the forefront of national agricultural research initiatives across the continent. His influence extends beyond academia through his commitment to fostering global educational links and having a profound impact on food security and sustainable development in Africa and beyond.