After a protracted search for "fresh blood," the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of new staff to two of its top executive positions: Mr Michel Dubé as Director of Administration and Finance (DAF), and Dr Günther Hahne as Director of Research (DR).

Michel Dubé, WARDA’s new DAF, is expected to take up post on 11 July 2001. Mr Dubé, a Canadian national from Quebec, joins WARDA with over 20 years multidisciplinary experience in finance and operations management, including a strong private-sector perspective for "small business."

Mr Dubé is no stranger to Côte d’Ivoire, having worked in Abidjan between 1993 and 1994. Highly comfortable in both English and French, Mr Dubé’s past international experiences include Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. His wife France, will be joining him in Bouaké.

Günther Hahne has been appointed Director of Research effective 1 November 2001. A German national, Dr Hahne has lived in France since 1987, where he is currently employed by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and is Group Head at the Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes in Strasbourg.

Dr Hahne comes to WARDA with strong connections in the European research community and funding institutions, and a perspective to research, research opportunities and research management that is rare within the CGIAR. His wife, Bettina and their children will accompany him to Bouaké.

Dubé and Hahne are coming to fill vital positions within WARDA’s Senior Management Team. "With full-time, permanent Directors in place, WARDA will be able to move forward at a faster rate than was possible with Interim and Acting staff," explains WARDA’s Director General Kanayo F. Nwanze. "This is a challenging time," Nwanze continues, "with major changes afoot in the CG system, in which the individual centers must evolve and grow. We view the fresh insight of these two men as a strong positive asset in the days ahead."