KAMPALA — The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) on Tuesday September 10 announced Uganda’s John Walakira as new elected President of its African chapter (WAS Africa chapter).
Mr. Walakira replaces Egypt’s Sherif Sadek who served as interim board president African chapter since its formation in 2018.
The new organization was created to facilitate the growth of aquaculture across the African continent through continued research, knowledge share between African nations, and a range of workshops and meetings.
“Aquaculture in Africa member of world aquaculture society wishes all the elected members of the board of the African section of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS Africa), good luck and hopes that the African WAS board will contribute to the implementation of an action plan, which will promote and develop the aquaculture sector in the African continent,” reads a notice to the leadership.
The elected Board members are composed of the following members:
President Elect: John Walakira
Secretary: Harrison Charo Karisa
Treasurer: Bernice Mclean
Regional Directors
Nevine Abou Shabana: North Africa Regional Director
Lanre Badmus: West Africa Regional Director
Nelly Isyagi: East Africa Regional Director
Francisca Delgado: Central Africa Regional Director
Alexander Shufa Kefi: Southern Africa Regional Director
Jimmy Avery, WAS President in a statement on the body’s Facebook page congratulated Mr. Walakira and the entire board.
“We are excited about the formation of our new Africa chapter and continue to support the strong leadership in place in all of our chapters,” he said adding WAS Board has decided to add another international conference to meet the demand of more countries wanting to host a conference.
The new chapter is sponsored by Danish feed manufacturer Aller Aqua, which has agreed to contribute to the development of WAS activity in Africa for the next three years.
John Walakira is a Senior Aquaculture Researcher at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NARO) for over 15 years, specializing in basic and applied research in technical aspects of aquaculture production (e.g. fish health, fish nutrition, environment management, reducing post-harvest losses).
Dr. Walakira has provided technical support to several international organizations, capacity building initiatives, dissemination of technologies, monitoring and evaluation of projects, resource mobilization and strategic planning through private-public linkages.
Furthermore, he regularly offers advisory services to farmers and extension agents for them to increase sustainable fish productivity and competitiveness in the region.
Dr Walakira joined WAS in 2003 and has been passionate and active in the Chapter’s formation processes.
