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2025 IN-HOUSE REVIEW

EXPERT URGES MENTORSHIP AND TEAMWORK AT 2025 CSIR-SRI IN-HOUSE REVIEW TO BOOST SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Professor Vincent Lugah, a distinguished soil scientist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi and Chairperson of the 2025 In-House Review at the CSIR-Soil Research Institute (SRI), has called on scientists to prioritize mentorship and collaboration as essential strategies for fostering innovation and enhancing the quality of research in Ghana.

At the two-day event held on August 5-6, 2025, in Kwadaso, Kumasi, Professor Lugah, a distinguished soil scientist from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at KNUST, emphasized, “Mentorship and teamwork are essential foundations for cultivating young researchers, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering a collaborative scientific community equipped to tackle Ghana’s critical agricultural and environmental challenges.”

Professor Vincent Lugah, a distinguished soil scientist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi and Chairperson of the 2025 In-House Review at the CSIR-Soil Research Institute (SRI), has called on scientists to prioritize mentorship and collaboration as essential strategies for fostering innovation and enhancing the quality of research in Ghana.

At the two-day event held on August 5-6, 2025, in Kwadaso, Kumasi, Professor Lugah, a distinguished soil scientist from the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at KNUST, emphasized, “Mentorship and teamwork are essential foundations for cultivating young researchers, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering a collaborative scientific community equipped to tackle Ghana’s critical agricultural and environmental challenges.”

Dr. Collins K. Tay, Director of CSIR-SRI, commenced the meeting with a concise update on the Institute’s status, underscoring the critical importance of sustaining and strengthening the IRREP. He articulated his vision of transforming CSIR-SRI into a premier Centre of Excellence in African soil research.

The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including three focused on soil survey and land use planning, three on soil fertility and resource evaluation, six on soil fertility management and crop production, one on land suitability and agricultural systems, five addressing environmental impacts on social health, and one exploring soil and human interaction.

The CSIR–Soil Research Institute’s In-House Review and Research Planning is an annual platform for evaluating research achievements, sharing knowledge, and setting priorities for the year ahead. It fosters collaboration, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the Institute’s work aligns with national development goals and advances sustainable soil management, environmental protection, and agricultural productivity.

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OCP Group

OCP Group, CSIR-SRI Partner to Tackle Soil Degradation and Boost Crop Yields

In a major boost to Ghana’s drive for food security, Morocco’s OCP Group, one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers, has joined forces with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI) to launch a landmark soil management project.

A high-powered delegation from OCP Group and Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research visited CSIR-SRI in Kumasi to officially kickstart the collaboration. The team was received by Dr. Collins Korbla Tay, Director of CSIR-SRI, together with senior scientists and project staff. Describing the partnership as a “significant milestone”, Dr. Tay said the initiative would address critical soil fertility challenges, especially for maize and rice farmers in the Northern, Volta and Eastern Regions.

“This project will revolutionize how we manage soil health in Ghana,” Dr. Tay noted. “By mapping soil nutrients and developing site-specific fertiliser recommendations, we will help farmers increase yields sustainably and cut down costs.”

The project aims to produce detailed soil nutrient maps, design custom fertilizer blends for staple crops, test improved fertilization methods on farms, and validate scientific techniques to keep Ghana’s soils healthy for the long term.

Dr. Tetteh, the project focal person at CSIR-SRI, said the collaboration would also build local capacity by training Ghanaian experts and developing decision-making tools for farmers and policymakers.

“For us, this is not just research for research’s sake,” Dr. Tetteh stressed. “It’s about empowering farmers with the right knowledge and tools to manage their soils responsibly and productively.”

The Moroccan delegation, which included representatives from OCP Africa, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, and the OCP Foundation, toured CSIR-SRI’s laboratories to observe ongoing soil research trials.

Stakeholders say the project could be a turning point for Ghanaian agriculture at a time when soil degradation is threatening farm productivity across the country. With pilot field projects set to begin in the coming months, farmers in the target regions can look forward to higher yields, reduced input costs, and more climate-resilient farming practices.

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Experts Call for Innovative Repurposing of Abandoned Mining Sites at DAAD-Alumni Conference in Kumasi

Experts Call for Innovative Repurposing of Abandoned Mining Sites at DAAD-Alumni Conference in Kumasi

At the recent DAAD-Alumni Conference held at the CSIR-Soil Research Institute in Kumasi, scientists and researchers gathered to advocate for the innovative repurposing of abandoned mining concessions across Ghana. This call to action comes in response to the alarming environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities, which continue to plague these once-productive lands. As illegal miners continue to exploit abandoned sites left by large-scale companies, experts warn that restoring these degraded lands could take a staggering 300 years. While the government and mining corporations strive to mitigate the environmental impact, researchers are calling for a more inclusive approach that explores alternative uses for these lands beyond mere reclamation.

Dr. Jones Mantey, a Strategic Mine Consultant, spoke at the conference about the challenges faced with reclamation efforts. “Some community members opposed a plan by a mining company to convert an abandoned site into aquaculture. They argued that they are miners, not fishermen, and wouldn’t want a fishing hub. This created challenges. If security isn’t tight at abandoned sites, it creates problems,” he noted.

(Dr. Jones Mantey, a Strategic Mine Consultant)

Dr. Mantey proposes transforming these abandoned sites into energy hubs or recreational areas. He pointed out that backfilling dug pits can be difficult, suggesting that converting them into water resources or hydro dams could provide economically, socially, and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Dr. Albert Mensah, a senior research scientist at the Soil Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SRI) and program coordinator for the DAAD Alumni event, emphasized the challenges of phytoremediation. “Phytoremediation is difficult. Since these mining companies are businesses, they are not ready to wait for these plants to absorb the toxic chemicals, as it takes a long time,” he stated.

(Dr. Albert Mensah, a senior research scientist, CSIR-SRI)

Dr. Collins Tay, Director at the Soil Research Institute, underscored the necessity for government commitment in restoring natural resources adversely impacted by illegal mining.

“Once the miners are licensed, they must set aside funds for restoration right from the start of production,” he advised.

The discussions at the conference reflect a growing recognition of the need to balance economic interests with environmental sustainability, as experts seek to find effective solutions to the challenges posed by mining in Ghana.

Professor Jörg Rinklebe, the keynote speaker, delivered a presentation cataloguing the various works he has undertaken over the years. Professor Rinklebe is among the top 2% of scientists worldwide.

In his presentation, Prof. Rinklebe recounted the numerous projects he is leading as the principal investigator across Europe, Asia, America, and Africa.

He described the effectiveness of phytoremediation technologies in removing contaminants from polluted soils and water. He concluded that restoring the pristine or original state through phytoremediation could take between 10,000 and 100,000 years.

The DAAD-Alumni Conference brought together local and international researchers and stakeholders to discuss the impacts of both large-scale and artisanal gold mining on the environment and to propose practical solutions for sustainable practices.

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ALSEMAC PROJECT

ALSEMAC Project Team Engages CSIR-Soil Research Institute in Strategic Collaboration Visit

The ALSEMAC Project Team has completed a two-day strategic visit to the CSIR-Soil Research Institute (CSIR-SRI) in Kumasi, Ghana, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships in research and innovation for sustainable food systems. This engagement, which took place from 4 to 5 June, brought together leading scientists and researchers from both institutions to explore collaborative opportunities aimed at enhancing food security and promoting environmental sustainability. The ALSEMAC (Advancing Local Solutions for Environmentally Managed and Agroecologically Conscious Agriculture) project is committed to promoting safe, healthy, and sustainable food production systems. Its mission closely aligns with CSIR-SRI’s mandate to advance soil science and organic fertilisation, transforming organic residues into products of high agronomic value while reducing the carbon footprint.

During the two-day interaction, the teams shared insights on research priorities, discussed mutual areas of interest, and identified pathways for collaboration on projects concerning soil health, agroecological practices, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land use. The visit included lab tours, field demonstrations, and technical presentations from CSIR-SRI scientists, providing the ALSEMAC team with a firsthand view of the Institute’s cutting-edge work.

Dr. Dugan explained a point to the ALESMAC team.

Dr Angel Jose Fernández, Professor of Toxicology at the La Laguna University in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, and the Team Lead for the ALSEMAC Project, emphasized the importance of partnerships in tackling the complex challenges facing food systems.

“This collaboration with CSIR-SRI represents a major step toward integrating scientific expertise and local knowledge to develop resilient agricultural practices that not only boost productivity but also safeguard public health and the environment,” he said.

Dr Emmanuel Dugan, a senior research scientist and project lead at CSIR-SRI, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential impact, noting that the synergy between the two institutions could lead to transformative outcomes in Ghana and throughout the West African region. The visit concluded with a commitment from both parties to develop a formal framework for collaboration, which will include joint research initiatives, knowledge exchange Programmes, and capacity-building activities.

Other members of the ALSEMAC project team included Ricardo Didz from the Environmental Analysis Department at the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands and Dr Maria Del Nar Bernal Suarez, who is also from the same institute.

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