A delegation from Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has called on the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, as part of efforts to deepen the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions.
The delegation, led by SAA Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, and Technical Coordinator for Capacity Building, Dr. Anjolaoluwa Ore Fadairo, visited UCC to explore avenues for expanding joint initiatives, particularly in agricultural development and training.
The Sasakawa officials presenting souvenirs to Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong
Briefing the Vice-Chancellor on the visit, the Dean, School of Agriculture of UCC, Prof. Henry De-Graft Acquah, noted that the visit was aimed at reinforcing a partnership that dates back to the 1990s. He explained that the delegation was engaging with faculty members from the School of Agriculture (SoA) and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension to assess ongoing initiatives, including the Supervised Enterprise Projects (SEPs). He further revealed that the SAA is partnering with the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension and School of Agriculture in sponsoring a capacity-building workshop for extension officers focused on regenerative agriculture to address the challenges of low productivity and climate change among farmers across the country.
In his remarks, Dr. Atser commended UCC for its steadfast commitment to the Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE) programme, which has trained numerous front-line staff of Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture. "Your impact in the agricultural sector in Ghana and beyond is well recognised," he stated.
The Sasakawa delegation with the Vice-Chancellor and officials of UCC
Dr. Atser said SAA has renewed its focus on building resilient and sustainable food systems in Africa through knowledge sharing and capacity development. He also announced that the President of Nippon Foundation (major funder of SAA), Mr. Takeju Ogata, is expected to visit Ghana soon and extended an invitation to the Vice-Chancellor and the faculty from the School of Agriculture to participate in a briefing session with the Japanese Ambassador.
Receiving the delegation, Prof. Boampong expressed UCC’s readiness to strengthen its collaboration with the SAA, highlighting the University’s focus on translating research into practical solutions for societal challenges. "As a research-intensive institution, UCC is committed to innovative partnerships that generate real-world impact," he said.
He pointed out that UCC’s excellence in research and education had been recognised internationally, citing the Times Higher Education ranking which places UCC as the top university in Ghana and West Africa, and among the top 20 universities in Africa.
Prof. Boampong also praised the SAFE programme’s contributions to the University and the country, noting that it had produced some of the best agricultural extension officers and catalyzed several self-sustaining projects on campus. "UCC is proud to be recognised as one of the best agriculture universities in Africa," he concluded.
Dr. Godwin Atser signing the visitor's book
The Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Prof. Martin Bosompem, noted that the Department, through the concepts of SEPs, has developed a BSc Agribusiness programme designed to provide students with practical, hands-on and entrepreneurial training. As part of this initiative, the Supervised Agribusiness Projects (SAPs) enable students to beta-test their agribusiness ideas during the first semester of their final year, both on and around campus. Additionally, he noted that some of the students had been linked to the Design Thinking Hub (D-Hub)-UCC, an initiative led by the Vice-Chancellor which provided support for them to establish and grow their businesses after graduation.
Present at the meeting were: The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, Registrar, Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye (Esq) as well as former Heads of the Department, of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Prof. Ernest Laryea Okorley and Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC