The RUFORUM Blog

“In 2006, when I first got associated with RUFORUM, I was convinced that this network of highly committed individuals will make a mark in Africa’s history on capacity development and would turn the tide for this continent despite the odds. It has therefore been fulfilling all these years to have had the opportunity to contribute in my small way to the RUFORUM effort and vision both personally and from the FARA platform. Serving on its technical committee has been a most gratifying engagement for me. Today, I am proud to see RUFORUM grow and well positioned within the FARA fraternity to play a major role in driving the Africa Union commission (AUC) / NEPAD instigated Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A) within the CAADP and under the  auspices of the  Science Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) of the African Union Commission (AUC)” said Dr Irene-Annor Frempong.

What most impressed the professional colleagues who nominated this role model?
Irene Annor-Frempong is a highly talented scientist and educational leader.  An animal scientist by training, she has conducted research, taught and mentored students at multiple universities across Africa.  An outstanding researcher, she developed the first prototype of the local-closed meat kiln in Ghana in collaboration with Food Research Institute, a product that was later patented by Cape Coast University.

Throughout her career, she has assisted a generation of students and served as a successful mentor and role model for many young men and women scientists.  Through her encouragement, many of her students have chosen to advance into higher education.  At FARA, she has applied her considerable energy and leadership skills to improving the quality of agricultural research and training institutions throughout Africa.

How can agricultural education institutions more effectively prepare African students for successful agribusiness careers?

1. Place more emphasis on science. Agriculture is an applied science, so training should be built around science and its application.
2. Make students understand the context of what they are learning and make them marry theory and practice in the learning.
3. Impart industrial knowledge to students in multiple ways—student attachments, internships, incubations.
4. Revise the curricula to match the requirements of the society being served including the private sector and rural communities
5. Expand scholarships offerings for girls in order to correct the currently sharp gender imbalance in agricultural sciences and promote science training among girls.

Click here to read more on the featured profile of Dr. Frempong the Week in Modernization African Food Systems.

in a separate article, you can read about Dr. Irene-Annor Frempong  and why she deserves to be the Ambassador for the Science Agenda For Agriculture in Africa (S3A) by clicking here. An article written by Menesia Muinjo, Journalist from Namibia.

You can follow the online discussions at #MakeItHappen on twitter during the International Women’s Day on sunday 8th March, 2015.