A GNA feature by Benjamin Akoto, GNA
Sunyani (Bono), Feb. 21, GNA – Strengthening agricultural research, commercialization and institutional performance is prerequisite to advancing the nation’s agricultural transformation.
Advocacy for strategic measures to bridge the existing gap between research and industry comes with the appointment of Dr. Daniel Fahene Acquaye.
He is now the Chairman of the Management Board of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of the Crops Research Institute (CRI).
In fact, Dr Acquaye assumed that challenging portfolio by dint of hard work and rich experience and there isn’t doubt or uncertainty that he can’t lead the nation’s efforts in accelerating the commercialization of agricultural innovation.
Who is Dr Acquaye
Dr Acquaye is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Group and by his job description, he is expected to bring strategic leadership and governance oversight to one of nation’s leading agricultural research institutions.
The Management Board of the CSIR-CRI sets out research priorities, approve policies, oversee budgets, promote applied research and commercialization, and deepen partnerships with the private sector.
As a veteran agribusiness development and value chain expert, Dr Acquaye has over three decades of experience in enterprise development, youth empowerment and agricultural transformation across Africa and the Caribbean.
Dr Acquaye has consulted for major international organisations, like the Mastercard Foundation, Millennium Challenge Corporation, United States Agency for International Development and the Economic Community of West African States.
His proven record stars at the German Agency for International Cooperation, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations Development Programme, the African Development Bank and the African Union.
Innovations
Through the Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP), originally a USAID-funded initiative, Dr Acquaye advanced Ghana’s medicinal and natural plant products in the global market.
The initiative partnered with academic institutions like Rutgers University, Stellenbosch University, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Dr. Acquaye led the ethnobotanical research for the establishment of a genebank at KNUST, and the commercialization of products including, kombo butter, Lippia herbal tea, grains of paradise and Artemisia annua.
Checks show that within four years, exports of medicinal plants under the initiative reportedly grew from $3 million to $25 million.
Greenhouse farming
Dr Acquaye also championed greenhouse farming as part of a climate-smart agribusiness strategy with the ASNAPP and which later became the Agri-Impact Ventures now operating as Agri-Impact Group.
He played instrumental role in the introduction of greenhouse systems to support women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) supplying premium domestic and international markets.
Today, Agri-Impact Group manages greenhouse farms under the Fresh Logistics subsidiary, promoting year-round production, technology adoption and youth employment.
Recognition
In recognition of his contribution to agribusiness and youth development, Dr Acquaye was recently awarded a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) Degree by KNUST.
Leadership/Impact
Further checks show that under Dr Acquaye’s leadership, the Agri-Impact Group has mobilized over $100 million in agricultural project funding in the past five years.
Presently his company is leading a Mastercard Foundation-supported programme aimed at creating more than 300,000 jobs for youth in Ghana. It’s also supporting a World Bank-funded SMEs growth initiative in Jamaica.
Induction
Dr Acquaye and members of the Board were officially inducted, assuming office on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at a colourful event in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital.
Other members of the eight-member Board comprise Dr Baffour Asafo-Agyei, a retired crops research scientist and plant breeder, Mr Kojo Akoto Boateng, a consultant, farmer and media personality and Dr Solomon Ansah, the Director of Crop Services, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
The rest are Prof Marian Quain, the Deputy Director-General CSIR, Dr Collins Tay, Director of the CSIR-Soil Research Institute, Prof Maxwell Darko Asante, Director of CSIR-CRI and Mr Emmanuel Afriyie, a legal practitioner and the Head of Administration, the CSIR-CRI.
Way Forward
Indeed, Dr. Acquaye’s appointment brings strong private sector and commercialization experience to the Institute.
The real test now lies in translating research outputs into scalable, market-ready solutions for farmers and agribusinesses growth to stimulate job creation and green economic transformation.
His appointment therefore represents more than a governance of change, signaling an opportunity to redefine agricultural research to frontline economic growth and development.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Kenneth Odeng Adade