A New Era in Environmental Collaboration: UG and CICOS Join Forces Under GMES & Africa Initiative

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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 Congo, Republic of Congo, and Sao Tomé & Principe.

Key Representatives and Momentous Signing

The Letter of Agreement was signed during the First GMES and Africa Phase 2 Forum held in Egypt from the 27th to the 30th of November 2023. The MarCNoWA consortium was represented by its Director, Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, and the Secretary General of CICOS, Dr. Marie-Therese Itongo. The ceremony included notable figures like Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, GMES and Africa Programme Coordinator; Dr. Kwame Adu Agyekum, the Coordinator of the MarCNoWA consortium; and Eng. George Gulemvuga, the coordinator of the GERNAC consortium.

From left to Right: Eng. George Gulemvuga (GERNAC-CICOS), Dr. Tidiane Ouattara (GMES and Africa Programme Coordinator); and Dr. Kwame Adu Agyekum (MarCNoWA-University of Ghana).

Mutual Benefits and Expertise Exchange

This partnership under the GMES & Africa programme is set to foster a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources. Earth observation services developed by UG will be transferred to CICOS, while CICOS will provide invaluable insights on marine resource monitoring in Central Africa to UG.

A Commitment to the Future

This agreement is more than a formal arrangement; it is a testament to both institutions' commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable management of coastal and marine resources. It sets a precedent for future collaborations, skill development, and a positive impact on environmental security and resource management in the Central African region.

Photos credit: Mr Giraud Togbe

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