The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is strengthening partnerships with agricultural institutions in the West African country of Ghana, Dr. Pamela Moore, associate dean for global engagement for the UAPB Office of International Programs and Studies, said. UAPB recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB).
“The MOU aims to establish a collaborative partnership between UAPB and GRIB to promote the development of the rice industry in Ghana while strengthening teaching, research and Extension capacity within UAPB’s School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, thus contributing to the role of minority producers within the Arkansas rice sector as well,” Dr. Moore said.
According to Dr. Moore, the partnership will leverage the expertise and resources of both organizations to achieve mutually beneficial goals. Some of the project objectives include developing the rice industry in Ghana through research capacity building and technology transfer, improving the livelihoods of those who work in the rice industry, promoting trade and commerce between Ghana and the Arkansas Delta region and U.S. rice sector, and providing internships for GRIB members, as well as UAPB faculty, staff and students.
The cohort from Ghana that recently visited UAPB to sign the MOU included Dennis Obeng Agyei, vice president of GRIB, and Rowland Adjei Addo, deputy director for the Directorate of Crop Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana. Reflections by Dennis Obeng Agyei
Agyei first visited Arkansas in September 2024 as part of the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Cochran Fellows Program. In addition to receiving agricultural training, he worked to deepen institutional ties between GRIB and UAPB and interacted with local rice producers.
“As I reflect on my journey with UAPB, I am reminded of the power of passion and partnership,” he said. “The initial visit I made in September laid the foundation for a fruitful partnership that would bridge the gap in technology transfer, cultural exchanges and research.”
Agyei is the youngest person to serve as vice president for GRIB. He said he is committed to promoting youth involvement in agriculture and highlighting the opportunities that exist within the field. His experience as a Cochran Fellow at UAPB further solidified this commitment, and now he wants to share the knowledge he gained with fellow association members.
“After my return from Arkansas to Ghana, I followed up with my contacts at UAPB, expressing my desire to collaborate and facilitate opportunities for our members to gain practical knowledge and skills. This marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our partnership, which will have a lasting impact on our communities.”
Agyei said he felt at home at UAPB thanks to the professionalism and hospitality of administrators, faculty, staff and students.
“I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to engage with the UAPB community, as well as local rice producers,” he said. “Our discussions were enriching, and I appreciated the chance to share my story with the civil rights class and students during the MOU day.”
Agyei was born into a family of farmers, but as he was growing up, lacked a passion for agriculture.
“I saw farming as a form of punishment, a hard labor-intensive job with little reward,” he said. “This perception was further solidified when I was offered a spot to study agribusiness at the Central University College in Ghana. I declined the offer, opting instead to pursue a degree in management studies. Little did I know that fate had other plans, and I would eventually find myself drawn to the very industry I once shunned.”
It was not until he ventured into politics, running for office as an assembly member in 2015, that Agyei began to see the value in agriculture.
“As I sought to serve my community, I advised them to form cooperatives, recognizing the benefits of collective action, he said. “This experience sparked a newfound passion within me, and I began to see agriculture as an opportunity for growth, development and empowerment. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded that partnerships like the one between UAPB and my organization have the potential to transform lives, communities and nations. I look forward to the exciting possibilities that this partnership will bring, and I am honored to be a part of this journey.”
Reflections by Rowland Adjei Addo
Addo also became involved with UAPB thanks to the Cochran Fellows Program. In 2022, he traveled to Arkansas as part of a program related to the U.S. rice supply chain for Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
Addo said rice is an important crop for Ghana’s economy. There has been a significant increase in consumption due to population growth, urbanization and changes in consumer tastes and preferences.
“Despite the progress made in the rice subsector, there are still numerous challenges that need to be addressed,” he said. “These challenges include, but are not limited to, low technical and managerial
capacity levels, limited irrigation infrastructure, limited availability of quality breeders, foundation and certified seeds, inadequate financing levels and poor water management.”
He said the collaboration with UAPB is expected to strengthen the rice sub-sector through capacity building and technology transfer, as well as improvements in the production and productivity of rice fields. Other benefits include greater earnings for farmers, enhanced trade between the U.S. and Ghana, and increased consumption of American rice on the Ghanaian market.
Addo said he became interested in agriculture at a very young age when his family established a backyard garden and cultivated vegetables. This passion led him to pursue higher education in agriculture. He was employed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for Ghana where he currently works with farmers to support crop production and increase productivity.
“My engagements with UAPB gave me the opportunity to learn about different technologies for rice production and how technology forms an integral part of the production practices for the farmers,” he said. “Interaction with students also gave me the opportunity to share and learn about the opportunities in the agricultural value chain and what roles they can play. I must express my gratitude to Dr. Pamela Moore, whose organizational and facilitation skills ensured the visit was a success. The lessons learned from students, producers and faculty members at UAPB will ensure I improve upon the delivery of quality services to the gallant farmers I serve in Ghana.”
From left: Elzadia Washington, UAPB alumna and former USAID mission director and program director for the National Black Growers Council, Sherman Banks, honorary consul general of Ghana to Arkansas and the Delta Region, Rowland Addo, deputy director for the Directorate of Crop Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana, Dr. Pamela D. Moore, associate dean for global engagement for the UAPB Office of International Programs and Studies, Janet Broiles, chief of staff, Office of the Chancellor, Dr. Bruce McGowan, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Dr. Sathish Ponniah, associate professor of plant science.
From left: Dr. Bruce McGowan, Rowland Addo, Abdul Mohammed Aziz, Dennis Obeng Agyei and Dr. Pamela D. Moore.
