Abidjan:Sierra Leone's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, has been appointed as the Chair of the Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice) Council of Ministers. This appointment secures Sierra Leone a prominent leadership position within the continent's agricultural research and development sector.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the appointment was announced during the Council's 34th Ordinary Session held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on November 6, 2026. Dr. Kpaka will now lead the institution's highest governing body, which provides ministerial oversight and strategic direction across 28 African member countries.

The Council plays a crucial role in advancing agricultural research, enhancing rice production, promoting innovation, and strengthening food security across the continent. Dr. Kpaka's leadership comes as AfricaRice gears up to implement its Institutional Strategy for 2027-2035, amid growing efforts by African governments to reduce reliance on imported rice and develop competitive domestic rice industries.

For Sierra Leone, this appointment aligns with President Julius Maada Bio's Feed Salone initiative, which emphasizes agriculture as a cornerstone of national development. Government figures reveal that the country's rice self-sufficiency increased from 68% in 2023 to 73% in 2025, supported by investments in agricultural production, mechanization, improved seeds, and infrastructure.

As Chair, Dr. Kpaka will lead high-level ministerial deliberations and contribute to strategic decisions concerning agricultural research, technological innovation, and cooperation among member countries. The position also offers an opportunity to enhance collaboration between regional research institutions and national agricultural transformation programs.

Dr. Kpaka's appointment is expected to provide Sierra Leone with greater representation in continental agricultural policy discussions, particularly as African countries seek to improve domestic rice production, fortify food systems, and advance agricultural self-sufficiency.