News

Dr Dominique Hounkonnou, an eminent and respected scientist who championed the cause of disadvantaged people in his native Benin and throughout Africa, has passed away.

The eminent Beninese scientist passed away after a brief illness on Monday, July 13, 2020, in the economic capital, Cotonou.

"It is with deep regret that we have learned of the death of Dr Dominique Hounkonnou," said Dr Ângela Maria Pereira Barreto da Veiga Moreno, President of CORAF's Board of Directors.

An architect of CORAF's current strategic direction

In 2017, CORAF embarked on a critical reform process. This process included, among other things, defining a new strategic direction. To achieve this, it was necessary to call on the best experience and experts in agricultural research and development. When CORAF called Dr Hounkonnou, he readily agreed to help.

Together with Dr. Adama Traore, Dr. Hounkonnou crisscrossed the region, building consensus on CORAF's current strategic direction. Their work resulted in CORAF's current Strategic Plan 2018-2027 and Operational Plan 2018-2022.

"CORAF has lost one of its great historical figures," said the Chairman of CORAF's Board of Directors on learning of his death.

"A tireless and well-known figure in the world of agricultural research and development, he combined intelligence, wisdom, insight, humility, joviality and benevolence with an exceptional sense of listening. May God grant him perfect rest".

Who is Dr Dominique Hounkonnou?

Dr Hounkonnou is an agricultural engineer. He trained at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences at the University of Gembloux in Belgium. He obtained his doctorate in social sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. For almost ten years, he has helped local communities in his native Benin gain access to innovations.

He then joined the Technical Centre for ACP-EU Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), where he worked for almost 12 years. He was a local development consultant for the Berceaux d'Afrique Foundation, which he set up with a few friends to support local development action groups. Dominique was also Vice-President of Access Agriculture.

In 2014, he was made an "Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau" of the Netherlands for his eminent role in creating synergies between the West African and Dutch scientific communities. The Orange-Nassau Order is a Dutch royal civil and military order of chivalry awarded to individuals for their scientific achievements and contributions to society.