The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) appointed Dr. Micheal Yao Osae as the new Director of the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) in a short ceremony organized in Accra.
In his opening remarks, the Director-General (DG) of GAEC, Prof. B.J.B Nyarko, commended Prof. Kenneth Danso (the outgoing Director) for his consistency in keeping the Institute actively running even in times of difficulty. He also congratulated Dr. Osae for his new role and called on all staff of the Institute to offer him the needed unconditional support.
Prof. Danso in a short address expressed gratitude for the opportunity offered him by the DG and Management of the Commission to serve for two terms (8years).
Prof. Danso has been credited with significant successes during his tenure in the areas of research, development, and commercialization. One such success under his leadership was the Institute’s collaboration with the University of Cape Coast to release a high starch content, beta carotene fortified and Vitamin A enriched cassava varieties.
The Institute also received a grant from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) to expand the production of protein bait for the control of mango fruit flies in Ghana. Additionally, Prof Danso’s stewardship also led to the recognition and elevation of BNARI by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), resulting in the training of more scientific staff from Ghana in the area of mutation breeding.
He has played key roles in ensuring capacity building of staff through the acquisition of a flow cytometer – a sophisticated equipment used to detect and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells or particles. He also initiated the processes for the procurement of a Near Infrared (NIR) spectrometer for the Institute.
Finally, he championed the development of new products at the Radiation Technology Centre (RTC) of the Institute and the introduction of the floriculture project for GAEC. Among the many achievements, he was also instrumental in the introduction of commercial poultry production at the Institute.
Dr. Michael Osae, in his acceptance speech was thankful for the opportunity given him to serve as the Head of the Institute. “I want to transform BNARI into a world-class research-intensive Institute, one of the foremost centres of excellence in biotechnology and nuclear techniques in agriculture with support from my abled staff”, he added.
He explained that to achieve this vision, his administration will be first, a human resource focused, with the goal of motivating staff to put in their very best.
He also plans to establish the first-ever agriculture-based laboratory with the capacity to perform all laboratory tests required in the agricultural sector to enhance research output as well as create avenues for generating funds through technical and laboratory services. “With regards to research and development, my administration will chart a new course”, he revealed.
Dr. Michael Osae briefly served as the Deputy Director of BNARI after serving as the Manager of the Radiation Entomology and Pest Management Centre (REPMC) for a period of 10 years. He is an accomplished agricultural entomologist and a Principal Research Scientist.
Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Director-General, Prof. Dedeh Shiloh Osae, Director of Administration, Mr. Felix Adeku, Director of Finance Mr. Cyprian Basing and the Director of Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI), Prof. Mary Boadu.
Established in 1993, the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) is one of the research, development and technology transfer Institutes of GAEC.
The Institute currently has six centres namely; the Biotechnology Centre, Radiation Technology Centre, Radiation Entomology and Pest Management Centre, Soil and Environmental Sciences Research Centre, Nuclear Agriculture Research Centre and Socio-Economics and Commercialisation Centre. The main objective of the Institute is to be the leading institution that provides sustainable solutions to challenges in agriculture, health, and industry through the application of biotechnology and nuclear science interventions.
By: Office of Cooperate and Public Affairs, GAEC.
