One of the most important decisions of the 20th session of the Governing Board of CORAF/WECARD was the selection of the new Executive Director of the Association.
Following the resignation in January 2015, of Dr Harold ROY-MACAULEY, the Governing Board selected Dr Paco Sérémé for the interim of the Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD. During this transition period, it was not only to ensure the daily management of the Executive Secretariat, but especially to support the Governing Board to recruit a new Executive Director. The rigorous and transparent process observed in the recruitment process started in April 2015, has just ended with the recruitment of Dr. Abdou Tenkouano, December 17, 2015 during the 20th ordinary meeting of the Governing Board.
Dr Tenkouano has a long and solid experience of agricultural research and management. He is a man who has dedicated his entire professional life to the development of Africa through agricultural research and development having seen close up the difference it can make. He understands the broader physical and social challenges of the region and the role agriculture can and must play.
Dr Tenkouano obtained his PhD in genetics at Texas A&M University in the US, and since then he has acquired a vast experience of leading multidisciplinary teams in complex set-ups across Africa for international research centers. He has successively worked at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) as Regional Coordinator for the West and Central Africa Sorghum Research Network, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) as Leader – Banana & Plantain Systems, Leader – Diversified Agricultural Systems and Member – Research for Development Council, and at AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) as Regional Director for Africa and Member of Institutional Committees for Management, Research & Development, and Risk Management. He is a guest lecturer at the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and at the University of Ghana (West African Center for Crop Improvement) at Legon.
Dr Tenkouano has also served on many international committees and is often consulted in the development of regional research frameworks or national governmental initiatives. He has an impressive track record in conceptualizing programs and securing funds as well as negotiating across governments, international and regional organizations, partners and donors.
He will assume duty in late May 2016.