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One of Africa's most eminent scientists has died. Professor Claude Adandedjan from Benin died on August 20, 2021, in his native country, as a result of the COVID-19 virus, according to Dr. Vincent Joseph Mama, a former colleague and former head of CORAF.

Professor Adandedjan, who obtained a PhD from the College of Agriculture and Forestry at West Virginia University in the USA in 1985, has served his country and continent in many capacities. In a career spanning almost 30 years at Benin's leading public university (Abomey Calavi), he rose from research assistant, to lecturer, to Dean of the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences in 1997 - a position he held until 2001.

His interest in contributing to the development of agriculture in his country and in Africa has led him to work with several regional and international organizations, including AfricaRice, the African Development Bank, GTZ and others. One of the highlights of his contributions to regional research and development was his election as Chairman of CORAF's Scientific and Technical Committee. 

"As Chairman of the CST, Professor Adandedjan has been a key player in advancing CORAF's agenda in addressing climate change issues, notably at the 11th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly in June 2014 in Niamey, Niger," recalls Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, Executive Director of CORAF.

"The scientific community has just been struck by the abrupt transition of Professor Claude Adandédjan. This is a huge loss for the research and teaching communities," said Dr Vincent Joseph Mama, who both served CORAF together in the early 2010s. 

Before his death, Professor Adandedjan had been recognized in April 2021 by the Benin Court of Appeal as a certified expert in food systems management. Although he had been retired since 2015, he was still keen to contribute to the growth of agriculture in Benin and throughout Africa.Professor Adandedjan published in several internationally renowned journals. He leaves behind a family and a community of researchers who mourn him.

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