News

Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, the new Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD, officially took up his post at the head of the Executive Secretariat of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD), in the presence of representatives of the institution's technical and development partners.

The official handover ceremony between Dr Paco SEREME, outgoing Executive Director, and Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, incoming Executive Director, was held on April 29, 2016 at the CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat headquarters in Dakar- Senegal.

A national of Burkina Faso, Dr Abdou TENKOUANO was recruited on December 17, 2015 during the ^20th ordinary session of the institution's Board of Directors following an international recruitment process based on a call for applications in accordance with the Institution's statutes.

The new Executive Director intends to continue his predecessor's work by making CORAF/WECARD a benchmark institution for coordinating agricultural research and development with beneficiaries and partners.

"CORAF/WECARD will continue to champion scientific innovation adapted to the needs of small family farms, in a market-oriented spirit and a sector-based dynamic whose aim is to ensure a better quality of life for all," asserted Dr Abdou TENKOUANO. His term of office will thus be marked by regional cooperation, the increased pooling of resources and the strengthening of public-private partnerships.

"Dr. TENKOUANO takes the helm of an institution with solid foundations. CORAF has confirmed its indispensable role in the transformation of agriculture in its areas of intervention. It has successfully implemented all its programs thanks to the collaboration of all its partners", said Dr Paco SEREME, outgoing Executive Director.

On behalf of the technical and development partners, Mrs. Shirley KORE reaffirmed the support of these organizations for CORAF/WECARD. "CORAF/WECARD's impact in the sub-region is undeniable, and it is our duty to support it in its mission to promote agricultural research and poverty reduction," she said.

Dr Abdou TENKOUANO holds a PhD in genetics from the University of Texas A&M, USA, and has extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary teams in various regions of Africa for international research centers.

Prior to joining CORAF/WECARD, Dr TENKOUANO was Africa Regional Director of the World Horticultural Research Center (AVRDC).