Dr.
Lecturer and ATVET Consultant
Crop and Soil Sciences Education
P. O. Box 40
Mampong
Ashanti Region, Ghana
Dr. Benjamin Aboagye Danso is a passionate educator, researcher, and agripreneur with over 12 years of experience driving innovation in agriculture and skills development. As a Lecturer and ATVET Consultant at University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), he combines his expertise in plant breeding, biotechnology, and agribusiness to empower the next generation of African agricultural leaders.
With a PhD in Plant Breeding from the University of Ghana, Dr. Danso has dedicated his career to improving crop resilience and farmer livelihoods. His groundbreaking research on disease-resistant groundnut varieties has been published in international journals, contributing to sustainable food security in West Africa. Beyond the lab, he translates science into real-world impact as the Founder of the Centre for Agribusiness Incubation and Technology Development (CAITD) a company that supports women, persons with disability, smallholder farmers and other marginalized groups with business advisory services, training, and advocacy.
A firm believer in hands-on learning, Dr. Danso champions Competency-Based Training (CBT) and gender-responsive pedagogy across ATVET institutions. He has designed curricula, trained instructors, and managed multi-million-dollar projects for organizations like WUSC, AGRA, and GIZ—equipping youth with practical agribusiness skills. His leadership extends to the Mampong Municipal Assembly, where he shapes local policies to boost agricultural development as an Assembly member appointed by government of Ghana.
Driven by a vision of an inclusive agricultural sector, Dr. Danso mentors young agripreneurs through various programs and advocates for women’s participation in farming. Fluent in four languages, he bridges gaps between research, education, and community needs—proving that science, when paired with entrepreneurship, can transform lives.
*”Agriculture is more than a livelihood; it’s the foundation of Africa’s future. By investing in people and innovation, we cultivate prosperity.”* — Dr. Benjamin A. Danso
- Larbi-Koranteng, S., Twum, S., Adomako, J., & Danso, B. A. (2025). Morphological and cultural characteristics of Trichoderma species from some Ghanaian vegetable growing soils. Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana, 17, 8031-8041.
- Danso B.A., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Ofori, K., Eleblu, J.S, Larbi-Koranteng S. and Asibuo, J.Y. (2024). Identification of New Sources of Resistance Against Late Leaf Spot Disease of Groundnut Using Molecular and Field Screenings. Journal of Crop Improvement. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2024.2388778
- Danso B.A., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Ofori, K., Eleblu, J.S, Addy S., Manilal W. and Asibuo, J.Y. (2024). Validation of SNP markers associated with late leaf spot resistance in groundnut. Cogent Food & Agriculture. Vol. 10 (1) 2367067. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2024.2367067
- Danso B.A., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Ofori, K., Eleblu, J.S, Cann R. and Asibuo, J.Y. (2023). Farmers’ preferred traits and constraints to groundnut production in Ghana. International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research. 13: 25-32. ISSN (P): 2250-0057; ISSN (E): 2321-0087
- Danso Y., Danso B.A., Armooh B. and Abugri B. (2023). Molecular detection of root-knot nematodes (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae) infecting okra in Ghana. Journal of Agricultural, Food Science & Biotechnology. 1(3), 219-233. https://doi.org/10.58985/jafsb.2023.v01i03.26
- Danso Y., Adomako J., Prempeh R., Danso B.A., Amoabeng W.B., Abugri B. and Mochiah B. M. (2023). Molecular identification of Metarhabditis ranai (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) infecting fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize in Ghana. Journal of Entomology and Nematology.
- Danso B. A. and Owusu-Fordjour E. (2022). Learning material on Quality Standards for Cowpea. Ghana Inclusive Agricultural Transformation Program (GIAT). Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
- Danso B. A. and Owusu-Fordjour E. (2022). Learning material on Quality Standards for Soybean. Ghana Inclusive Agricultural Transformation Program (GIAT). Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
- Danso B. A. and Owusu-Fordjour E. (2022). Learning material on Quality Standards for Groundnut. Ghana Inclusive Agricultural Transformation Program (GIAT). Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
- Danso B.A., Dzidzienyo, D.K., Asibuo, J.Y., Prempeh, R.N.A., Quain, M.D., (2018). DNA fingerprinting and assessment of genetic diversity among 22 cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (l.) Walp] varieties grown in Ghana. Open Access Library Journal, 5: e4938. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104938
- Danso B.A., Cann R, Tsindi A and Ayenan MAT.(2018). Feeding Africa: Role of neglected and underutilized crops species (NUS). F1000Research 2018, 7:1611
- https://doi.org/10.7490/f1000research.1116191.1
- Ayenan MAT, Danso B.A., Okwu UQ and Biratu KS. (2018). Meta QTLs for resistance to early blight in tomato. F1000Research 2018, 7:1613 https://doi.org/10.7490/f1000research.1116192.1
2018 – 2022: PhD. Plant Breeding, University of Ghana (UG), Accra, Ghana
(Subject Areas: Crop Improvement, Plant Genetics, Biotechnology, Biometry, Crop Physiology)
2014 – 2016: MPhil. Crop Science, University of Ghana (UG), Accra, Ghana
(Subject Areas: Genetic manipulation, Mutation Breeding, Statistics and Research methods)
2009 – 2013: BSc. Botany, University of Ghana (UG), Accra, Ghana, First Class Honors
(Subject Areas: Ecology, Plant morphology and Anatomy, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Taxonomy)
2021 – 2022: Dip. Education, AAMUSTED, Mampong, Ghana, Distinction
(Subject Areas: Guidance and Counselling, Curriculum Development, Gender-Responsive Pedagogy)
2021 – 2022: Dip. Competency-Based Training, AAMUSTED, Kumasi, Ghana
(Subject Areas: Facilitation, Internal and External Verification, RPL, Programme Development)
2006 – 2009: WASSCE Certificate, Osei Kyeretwie Senior High School, General Science
(Subject Areas: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Elective Mathematics, Social Studies, English)
- Plant breeding
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
- Agronomy
- Agripreneurship
Agriculture (Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Agripreneurship, and Natural Resources Management)
ATVET Education (Curriculum Development, Quality Assurance, School Management)
Project management (Technical leadership, Monitoring and Evaluation, Financial management, Research and Development)
NGO experience (WUSC, SNV, AGRA, USAID, Solidaridad, EU, UNDP, World Bank)
August 2023- Date: Lecturer, University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Education.
August 2021- July 2023: Assistant Lecturer, University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Education.
June 2020 – Feb. 2022: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Adom Seeds and Agricultural Services
May 2019 – Dec. 2021: Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Agrigrowth Africa Association
May 2017 –December 2021: Dep. Director, College of Tropical Agriculture, Kumasi
April 2017 to Dec. 2020: Facilitator/Internal Verifier, College of Tropical Agriculture
Aug 2015 – April 2017: Research Fellow, CSIR- Crops Research Institute, Fumesua, Ghana
June 2023 – Date: Examination Coordinator, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Education
June 2023 – Date: Academic Counsellor, Level 300, Natural Resources management class
Aug 2021 – Date: Team lead, Plant Breeding research team at AAMUSTED
Feb 2020 – Dec 2022: Communications / Publicity Director, Africa Plant Breeders’ Association – Graduate Students Wing.
Aug 2021 – July 2023: Member of the Editorial Board, Ghana Plant Breeders Association
Mar 2025 – Date: Member, Committee to develop Farm Protocol for University farms, USTED, Mampong
Mar 2025 – Date: Secretary, UTAG Welfare Constitution Review Committee, USTED-Mampong Feb 2024 – Date: Member, Planning Committee for Postgraduate Research Conference, USTED Oct 2022 – Date: Secretary, UTAG Diner Committee, USTED-Mampong
Dec 2022 – Date: Member, Projects Committee, Department of Crops and Soil Sciences Education
Sep 2021 – July 2024: Member, Committee to develop documents for Accreditation of New programmes and review of old programmes in the Faculty of Agriculture Education
- Jan 2026 to Dec. 2027: Team member, Digital Skills for New-age Agriculture (AGROTRAIN project), sponsored by the European Union, and implemented by AAMUSTED, Kumasi Campus. Grant Amount: $288,309.00
- June 2025 – Date: Project Coordinator, Agribusiness Short Courses, WUSC – ACTIVATE Project at USTED, Mampong Campus.. Grant Amount = $1,000,000
- Oct. 2024 – Dec. 2025: Faculty Advisor, Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) Project at USTED. Grant Amount: $100000
- Jan 2025 to Date: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer, WUSC – ACTIVATE Project implemented by AAMUSTED, Kumasi Campus. Capacity Building for ATVET instructors and administrators in Competency-Based Training. Grant Amount = $ 806,458
- Nov. 2024 – Date: Master Trainer – UNESCO Digital Skills for Pedagogy Project implemented by USTED, Kumasi Campus. Grant Amount = $ 500,000
- Mar. 2023 – Sept. 2024: Team member, Ghana Skills Development Fund Project implemented by AAMUSTED-Mampong Campus, Tackling post- harvest losses in vegetable and Fruit production through cost-effective technologies. Grant Amount = GHc 1,937,000
Tab Content
- Supported the establishment, sustainance and growth of over 500 youth and women led Agribusinesses in Ghana.
- Co-founded Centre for Agribusiness Incubation and Technology Development
- Co-founded Agrigrowth Africa Association
- Founded Adom Seeds and Agricultural Services
- World Food Forum Recognition Award for Contributing to Better Food Future, 2021
- World Bank ACE Fellowship Award for PhD Research, 2021
- DAAD Fellowship Award for PhD and Short Course, 2018 – 2022
- Australia Fellowship Award for African Students, 2018
- Association of African Universities Bursary Award, 2018
- A. G. Leventis Foundation Fellowship, 2015