The 9th International Plant Phenotyping Symposium has commenced in Accra, Ghana, with a call for a global research system that values the quality of research questions over institutional wealth. Professor Eric Y. Danquah, founding director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), made the remarks at the opening ceremony. He emphasized that Africa should not be seen merely as a place where technologies developed elsewhere are applied, but as a continent where important scientific questions are framed, technologies developed, and new knowledge generated.
The symposium, themed "Phenotyping for All: Bridging the Gap in Global Agriculture," aims to promote inclusivity in plant phenotyping. Professor Danquah explained that this theme does not require every laboratory to own every scientific instrument, but rather that scientists have access to the expertise needed to benefit from modern phenomics. He highlighted that the gap in plant phenotyping is often described in terms of equipment, but the installation of sophisticated instruments alone does not create scientific capability.
The value of scientific instruments, according to Professor Danquah, depends on collaboration among plant breeders, physiologists, engineers, statisticians, and computational scientists. Institutions also need the capacity to maintain equipment, manage data, and sustain research beyond individual grants. He drew on WACCI's experience, noting that when the centre was established almost 20 years ago, West Africa had universities, research institutes, and talented scientists but lacked a critical mass of highly trained plant breeders working on crops important to African farmers.
Since its establishment, WACCI has graduated 133 PhD plant breeders from 19 African countries. Professor Danquah described Accra's selection as the ninth host city and Ghana's position as the first African host as historic milestones. He expressed hope that the meeting would advance a more inclusive global plant phenotyping community, with African scientists and institutions playing a greater role in shaping the field.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Chair of the International Plant Phenotyping Network (IPPN), Professor Jennifer Clarke, its Executive Director, Dr. Philipp von Gillhaussen, and other board members, speakers, and participants. Professor Clarke said the meeting had been brought to Africa to showcase global developments in plant phenotyping and engage the African scientific community.
Professor Clarke was impressed with the level of science and engagement across Africa and aimed to build connections and partnerships that would be sustainable and lasting. The programme features speakers from Africa and other parts of the world, providing African scientists with opportunities to connect with their international counterparts. The symposium also serves as a launchpad for the Pan-African Plant Phenotyping Network.
The event is being hosted by the IPPN in partnership with the University of Ghana, WACCI, and the African Plant Breeding Association. The symposium began in Canberra, Australia, in 2009, and Accra's hosting is seen as a significant milestone in promoting inclusivity and collaboration in plant phenotyping.
Key points
- Professor Eric Y. Danquah calls for a global research system that values research questions over institutional wealth.
- The symposium aims to promote inclusivity in plant phenotyping, with a focus on collaboration and access to expertise.
- WACCI has graduated 133 PhD plant breeders from 19 African countries since its establishment.
