Regional Marine Centre

In a landmark partnership poised to redefine the landscape of Earth Observation (EO) and its application in sustainable development, the “Centre de Suivi Ecologique” (CSE) of Senegal has joined forces with the MarCNoWA Project, led by the University of Ghana's College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS). This collaboration, recently highlighted through a visit by Prof. Cheik Mbow, head of CSE, to Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, the Provost of CBAS and Director of the MarCNoWA Project, signals a new era in leveraging satellite technologies for environmental stewardship and climate change adaptation across Africa. Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost of the University of Ghana's College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) and Director of MArCNoWA Project  (left) and Prof. Cheick Mbow, Director General of CSE (right). Central to this collaboration is the engagement with the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) & Africa Programme, a joint initiative of the Af...

To bolster maritime safety and environmental security along the coasts of Greater Accra and Volta regions, a significant training workshop was held at the NAFAG Hall in Tema on 28th December 2023. The workshop, conducted under the auspices of the GMES and Africa programme, represented a pivotal step in ensuring the effective dissemination of vital meteorological information to local communities, particularly fishermen. Group picture of some of the participants and staff of the G Met . The workshop, expertly led by Mr. Joseph T. Portuphy and other marine meteorologists from the Ghana Meteorological Agency, focused on the critical theme of 'Safety of Life and Property at Sea: The Role of Meteorological Information .' The event was attended by community centre operators from the Greater Accra and Volta regions. Highlighting the essence of accurate meteorological data, Mr George Adjetey, Vice President of the Canoes and Fishing Gear Owners Association of Ghana (CaFGOAG) emphasise...

Marking a new era in environmental collaboration, the International Commission for Congo Ubangi and Sangha Basin (CICOS) and the University of Ghana (UG) have embarked on a pioneering journey under the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) and Africa initiative. This partnership symbolises the enduring cooperation between Africa and Europe, covering the entire African continent with a focus on the sustainable management of natural and marine resources. Dr. Marie-Therese Itongo,  Secretary General of CICOS, and  Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost CBAS, UG  A Vision for Sustainable Resource Management The collaboration leverages UG's expertise in monitoring and forecasting oceanographic variables, coastal area monitoring, ship traffic, pollution monitoring, and marine weather forecasting. This partnership is pivotal for enhancing marine and coastal resource management in Central Africa, including countries like Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, DR Con...

The Marine and Coastal Areas Management in North and West Africa (MarCNOWA) Consortium, supported by the GMES & Africa initiative, is offering transformative grants for postgraduate students. These grants focus on earth observation (EO) data applications to enhance coastal and marine resources management. EO data is crucial for sustainable marine and coastal management, helping in policy-making and environmental protection. This initiative targets nurturing skilled scientists and policymakers who can significantly contribute to this field. Application & Impact Students from 18 countries in North and West Africa are encouraged to apply, focusing on how their research aligns with sustainable management goals. The grants not only support academic research but also aim to foster a future of resilient and sustainable marine ecosystems in Africa. These grants are a step towards empowering African scholars in marine science and policy-making, contributing to the sustainability o...

Earth Observation (EO) science is a rapidly growing field, crucial in understanding and addressing some of the world's most pressing environmental and societal challenges. However, despite its significance, African women are underrepresented in this field, facing numerous barriers that limit their participation and success. According to a recent study by the European Space Agency, women make up only 28% of the Earth Observation workforce globally, with even lower representation in leadership positions. In Africa, women are particularly underrepresented in earth observation science and related fields such as geography, remote sensing, and geoinformatics. The African Women in Science and Technology Network (AWSTN) report found that only 15% of students enrolled in Earth Observation science programs in Africa are women. Also, a study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) found that women are significantly underrepresented in Earth Observation in Africa, with onl...

Abandze, a coastal fishing community in Ghana, celebrated its festival last week with the apotheosis on the 5th and 6th of November 2022. The purpose of the yearly festival is to cleanse, thank and mobilize resources for developmental projects within the community. A team of fishers ready for the regatta, Abandze Being made of strong fishing community groups (canoe and gear owners, women investors, fishermen, fishmongers, and their dependencies), the people of Abandze called upon the GMES and Africa project to support and address the celebrants during a durbar and also the regatta (canoe race) that marked and end the festival. The gatherings served as mediums to promote the safety at sea campaign. A section of the gathering during the durbar, Abandze The MarCNoWA consortium of the GMES and Africa Project supported the organization of the durbar, the mobilization of funds for community development, and the canoe race with visibility materials such as branded shirts, flyers, poster...