Regional Marine Centre

In order to protect the fisheries and other marine and coastal resources towards food security, Benin has taken a great step in establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of the seas or oceans, and estuaries that are protected against pollution and overexploitation of resources. MPAs are protected areas that restrict human activities for conservation, usually to safeguard natural or cultural resources. Local, state, territorial, native, regional, national, or international authorities preserve these marine resources, which vary greatly within and between nations. Sea defence within Donaten, the proposed Marine protected Area The fishing industry in Benin is a significant source of economic and social development. Benin is a country in West Africa with a population of 9,607,000 people and a land area of 114,760. It has a 120-kilometre shoreline and extensive marine resources, including a 3,100 km2 continental shelf, 2,750 km2 of which are trawlab

The ocean state early-warning service developed by the University of Ghana consortium offers artisanal fishermen and coastal residents three-day predictions  of ocean conditions. The service provides information and ocean state maps  in order to protect lives and property at sea from bad weather.  Ocean state forecast alert for Ghana The early warning alert is accessible via USSD shortcodes in Ghana (*920*88#) and Nigeria (*347*87#), as well as the GMES-UG mobile application available on android and iOS phones. In Ghana, the  code works on all networks and it is free to access. On the other hand, the GMES-UG app provides all beneficiary countries ocean states forecasts and maps among other products. Ocean State Map from the GMES-UG mobile App In order to promote the early warning alerts developed, consultants for the University of Ghana consortium of the GMES & Africa programme paid a courtesy call on the Director General (DG) of the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) on 22nd June

Capacity building and strengthening within the maritime domains in Africa is a must for efficient and economical defensive and protective operations. The call was made by Prof. George Wiafe during the 2nd International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEC), which took place on 7-8 July 2021 in Accra, Ghana. Prof. George Wiafe, 2nd from the right, during the panel discussion  The conference hosted by the Ghana Navy was attended by over 15 Chiefs of Navies and Air Staff from across Africa together with about 300 national and international senior officials from Navies, Air Forces, Coast Guards and Marine Police. Piracy, illegal fishing, armed robberies, governance, regional cooperation, blue economy and capacity building are the major issues discussed. IMDEC participants during the panel discussion The GMES and Africa project was represented by the University of Ghana, the lead of the marine consortium in West Africa. The Director, Prof. George Wiafe, during the panel dis