ECOWAS Appoints Dr. Chakanda As President Of CRSPAO-10
Accra, Ghana – September 15, 2025
At a high-level regional meeting hosted at the Alisa Hotel in Central Accra, Dr. Robert Chakanda, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency (SLeSCA), was appointed as the new President of the ECOWAS Committee for the Regulation of Seeds and Plants in West Africa (CRSPAO-10).
The CRSPAO-10 plays a central role in advancing agricultural transformation across West Africa and the Sahel. Its mandate focuses on harmonizing policies and strengthening seed systems in all ECOWAS member states, in close collaboration with UEMOA and CILSS, with CORAF serving as the host of the Secretariat. By coordinating standards, supporting research, and ensuring farmers have access to high-quality certified seeds, CRSPAO-10 remains at the heart of the region’s drive toward food security and resilience.
This landmark appointment coincides with Sierra Leone’s growing leadership in regional affairs. His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Head of State of Sierra Leone, currently serves as Chairman of ECOWAS. His flagship program, Feed Salone, is widely recognized for its ambition to achieve food self-sufficiency and economic transformation. The success of this initiative depends heavily on a robust and well-regulated national seed system, which has been significantly strengthened in recent years.
Under Dr. Chakanda’s stewardship over the past three years, SLeSCA has emerged as a model seed regulatory body in the region. Achievements include the establishment of field inspectors in every district, the construction of a state-of-the-art national seed testing laboratory at Mile 91, the training of seed technicians both locally and internationally, and the enforcement of strict compliance measures for seed actors. These strides have positioned Sierra Leone as a credible leader in seed system development, while directly contributing to the success of the Feed Salone program.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Chakanda underscored the importance of regional solidarity and harmonization: “The seed sector is the foundation of agriculture and food security. As President of CRSPAO-10, I look forward to working with ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS, CORAF, and all our partners to ensure that farmers across West Africa and the Sahel have access to the high-quality seeds they need to drive productivity and improve livelihoods.”
Dr. Chakanda’s appointment is both a recognition of his international expertise as a seed scientist, and a reflection of Sierra Leone’s renewed commitment to regional agricultural leadership under President Bio’s stewardship of ECOWAS.
