The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, has emphasized the critical role of agricultural research and extension services in transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector and ensuring long-term food security.
Speaking at the launch of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Aheto commended the School for its pioneering contributions to agricultural research, noting its instrumental role in developing improved crop varieties such as cassava, cowpea, and soybean.
He highlighted the School’s national impact through the Sasakawa Fund for Extension Education, which has trained over 80% of Ghana’s Agricultural Extension Officers, positioning UCC as a leader in agricultural innovation and human capital development.
Held under the theme “Sustaining Ghana’s Agriculture: 50 Years and Beyond,” the event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, faculty, alumni, students, farmers, and development partners to reflect on the School’s legacy and chart a course for the future.
Delivering the keynote address, former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Nelson Buah, called for sustained and bipartisan agricultural policies that address longstanding sectoral challenges including climate change, land tenure, food insecurity, and post-harvest losses. He advocated for the establishment of a national agricultural research fund and a binding, long-term agricultural policy framework immune to political shifts.
The Central Regional Minister, Mr. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, also addressed the gathering and urged stakeholders to prioritize evidence-based solutions. “We cannot continue to depend on policies that are not research-based, as they have consistently failed at the implementation stage,” he noted. He praised the School’s acquisition of 419 acres of land for commercial farming and pledged the Regional Coordinating Council’s support in making agriculture attractive to the youth.
Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, applauded the School’s sustained contribution to agricultural development and expressed confidence in its ability to deliver even greater impact in the coming years.
Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Henry De-Graft Acquah, reflected on the School’s five-decade journey, emphasizing its role in training professionals who have influenced policy, advanced scientific research, and led agribusiness innovations across Ghana and beyond. He reaffirmed the School’s commitment to growth through curriculum reforms, expanded research, and inclusive partnerships.
The event also featured goodwill messages from key partners including RUFORUM, alumni associations, and the Centre of Awareness Research and Manufacturing Company Limited. Retired staff of the School were honoured for their invaluable service and foundational contributions.
