News

An important moment in the continuity of CORAF's governance took place on July 25, 2024 at the CORAF Executive Secretariat headquarters in Dakar, on the occasion of a handover ceremony. This transition was marked by the official transfer of responsibilities from Dr Alioune FALL, Acting Executive Director, to Dr Moumini SAVADOGO, CORAF's new Executive Director. At the same time, Dr Maria Angela P. Barreto Da Veiga MORENO, outgoing Chairman of the Board, handed over to Dr Kalifa TRAORE, elected Chairman of the Board at the 14th ordinary session of the CORAF General Assembly. The ceremony took place in the presence of CORAF's key players, including strategic partners and all the staff of the Executive Secretariat. 

In his address, the incoming Chairman of the Board, Dr Kalifa TRAORE, after congratulating his predecessor, recalled the important role played by CORAF in the sustainable improvement of agricultural productivity in West and Central Africa. According to him, CORAF has a vast task ahead of it in improving people's livelihoods while strengthening their resilience and adaptive capacity. 

" The challenges are certainly immense, but they are not insurmountable if synergies of action and sharing of experience are created; but above all, if special emphasis is placed on scaling up the technologies and innovations generated by agricultural research. ". 

Dr Moumini SAVADOGO, the new Executive Director, expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him, while acknowledging the many achievements of his predecessor."Today there are many expectations. People and governments expect us to provide them with appropriate solutions to the various challenges they face. This calls for much more collaboration, so that technologies and innovations can be made available to communities to move towards food sovereignty and sustainable development," he declared.

He also highlighted the significant progress made by CORAF, particularly in capacity building and the creation of sustainable partnerships. These initiatives have been essential in maintaining CORAF's strategic position in agricultural research and development in West and Central Africa.

The ceremony continued with various speeches, notably from the technical and financial partners present at the ceremony. The event ended with the presentation of gifts to the outgoing Executive Director and the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors, in recognition of their work.