Dr. Pearl Abu leads research to establish a double haploid maize breeding facility in Ghana

In a major advancement for African agriculture, Dr. Pearl Abu of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana is leading research to establish the first double haploid (DH) maize breeding facility in Ghana.

This initiative is set to revolutionize maize breeding strategies, significantly enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Ghana.

Dr. Abu, a distinguished plant breeder and geneticist, has been at the forefront of crop improvement research at WACCI. As team leader for the maize breeding programme, she is integrating innovative breeding technologies using double haploid and genomic selection to develop high-yielding varieties that address Ghana's pressing food security challenges.

Her research focuses on developing maize varieties that are both high-yielding and resilient to climate change factors, such as drought, high temperatures, low soil fertility, and diseases and pests.

The double haploid technology represents a significant advancement in plant breeding methodologies. This advanced technique enables breeders to produce completely homozygous lines in just two generations—a stark contrast to the six to eight generations required by traditional (conventional) breeding methods. Consequently, this innovation reduces the time needed to develop new maize varieties from 8-10 years down to just 3 years.

Professor Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, the founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), highlighting the importance of the initiative for agricultural innovation in Ghana and beyond, stated: “As the founding Director of WACCI, I am inspired by Dr. Abu's visionary leadership in advancing the establishment of Ghana’s first double haploid maize breeding facility. This initiative, when realized, will not only accelerate the development of improved maize varieties but also position Ghana as a leader in innovative agricultural research. It reflects WACCI’s commitment to driving transformative solutions for food security and economic development in Africa”.

The establishment of this DH facility in Ghana will advance plant breeding techniques in Ghana. Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as Iowa State University and Khon Kaen University and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Dr. Abu aims to attract further international partnerships to expand her research efforts. She is therefore calling for partnerships from both local and international organizations to advance her research work.

The introduction of DH technology into maize breeding programs in Ghana is anticipated to yield substantial benefits. By expediting the development of improved maize varieties, this facility will enhance crop yields and stability, thereby boosting food security not only in Ghana but potentially across the broader West African region.

“Farmers will have quicker access to high-yielding maize varieties, which could lead to increased incomes and improved livelihoods in rural communities—key factors for economic development,” Dr. Abu highlighted.

Dr. Abu also stresses the critical need for training the next generation of plant breeders in advanced techniques. The facility when established will serve as a hub for capacity building, providing hands-on experience to students and researchers from across Africa.

As this innovative research takes shape under Dr. Abu’s leadership, it stands as a testament to Africa's growing capacity for innovation in agricultural research, with impacts expected to extend far beyond the borders of Ghana into a new era of crop improvement across the continent.