On 28^th June, 2025, the WASCAL Climate Change and Land Use (CCLU) Doctoral Research Programme (DRP) successfully graduated ten out of eleven students of the fifth cohort, admitted into the PhD Climate Change and Land Use programme in December 2021.

The ceremony was graced by key officials of WASCAL, including the Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongré Ramde, Deputy Director for Capacity Building, Prof. Daouda Kone and the Director General of Higher Education in Gabon, Prof. Alain Souza, alongside DRP Directors from other WASCAL centres.

The graduation ceremony was followed by a cocktail reception at the WASCAL CCLU premises, during which some students were recognised and awarded for their outstanding academic performance throughout their PhD studies. Faculty members and relatives of the graduates joined in celebrating their successful completion of the programme.

WASCAL CCLU Centre hosted the Graduate Studies Programme Directors’ meeting  on the 2nd to 7th September, 2024 at the WASCAL Building, KNUST. The objective was to discuss the capacity, monitoring strategic activities, accreditation process, lessons learnt and way forward for the WASCAL Postgraduate Programmes.

The Executive Director of WASCAL, Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde gave the opening remarks address where he emphasized on the fact that the WASCAL Graduate Studies Programme has produced nearly 500 graduates who have become leaders and innovators our subregion desperately needs. He further stated that these graduates have become pillars of resilience in their communities, applying their knowledge to combact the effects of climate change.

The welcome address was given by the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson who graced the meeting as the Special Guest of Honour. In her speech, she made a remarkle note that “These days when you mention climate change, you have touched the nerves of humanity. This is because the impacts of climate is something the keeps us awake all night”.

The Director of WASCAL CCLU, Prof. Wilson Agyei Agyare delivered the concluding remarks and welcomed all GSP Directors to the meeting.

All WASCAL GSP Directors gave a presentation on the status of the batch of students and achievements of their various GSP Centres. Amongst all the presentations, Prof. Daouda Koné, the WASCAL Capacity Building Director gave a key presentation on topic; “State of Art and Outlook of Capacity Building Department”. Dr. Michael Theil gave a presentation on the topic; “The contribution of German researchers to the WASCAL GSP Programme”. Prof. Kehinde Ogunjobi, the WASCAL Competence Centre Director gave a presentation on “WASCAL Research Achievement and Outlook toward the new strategy”.

To wrap up the Directors’ meeting, a visit was made to the WASCAL Waste to Energy Project site located at Gyankobaa. The facility managers at Gyankobaa took all directors through the project activities and success stories.