Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, the University of Ghana's founder of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), has pleaded with the government to swiftly operationalize the National Research Fund Act.
He voiced his worry that, despite President Akufo-Addo's approval of the National Research Fund Act, it has not yet been put into practise to help the nation's agriculture.
He clarified that attempts to fulfil Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, will be aided by the implementation of the National Research Fund Act.
On Sunday, May 28, 2023, Prof. Danquah addressed attendees at the "Sustainable Dinners: World Hunger Day Dinner" in Accra.
World Hunger Day Dinner: Sustainable Dinners
In order to launch a campaign to establish a commemoration day for farmers who use innovative agricultural biotechnologies to hasten the elimination of hunger by 2030, the "Sustainable Dinners: World Hunger Day Dinner" were held concurrently in some chosen Global South countries.
Nairobi, Kenya, Abuja, Nigeria, Lusaka, Zambia, Cairo, Egypt, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Guatemala all had similar meals on the same day.
The occasion served to recognise some farmers and significant members of the agricultural value chain, such as seed breeders, for their varied efforts to eradicate hunger in the nation and throughout the world.
the National Research Fund Act's implementation
Prof. Danquah expressed the expectation that the National Research Fund Act's adoption would act as a major impetus for advancing technology and ideas that would support the nation's transition to self-sufficient agriculture.
In his opinion, the National Research Fund Act would enable "impact-driven research to build resilient and robust food systems to meet SDG 2 by 2030 under a Presidential Initiative on Food and Nutrition Security to be coordinated from the Office of the President with the Ministries of Education, Environment, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Finance" as the main coordinating units.
In addition, he added, "If only we would do this well with the evidence available, we would sustainably take this country forward in the next four years, and we would be able to achieve our goals."
would be on course to achieving SDG 2, which would have a significant positive impact on nine more SDGs.
According to Prof. Danquah, agricultural research must be prioritised since science and technology have the potential to increase agriculture's productivity and sustainability.
"We have the power to change things when we work together. We have the ability to end hunger and create a society where everyone has access to wholesome food through coordinated efforts and creative solutions. It is a difficult undertaking, but one that we must take on head-on," he said.
"Let us pledge to raise awareness, support initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture, empower communities, and advocate for policies that prioritise fighting hunger," he said, urging all relevant parties to do their part.
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