Regional Marine Centre

The GMES and Africa Project at the University of Ghana's newest endeavour aims to provide mentorship and an enabling environment for Women in Technology (WIT). The campaign was launched with a visit to the Mfantsiman Girls' Senior High School, which won the second edition of the Senior High Schools' Renewable Energy Challenge 2021 for the southern zone. Prof. George Wiafe, engaging some Mfantsiman Girls To close the gender gap in technology, it is critical to educate the youth, particularly young girls and women, about the value of technology and how the Internet of Things (IoT) may be integrated into their academic, research, and future careers. “ Women are sometimes disadvantaged as they advance in their careers when they are unable to: use IoT, Big Data, and Open Sources tools, have access to mentorship or work in an enabling environment ,” says Prof. George Wiafe, Director of the Regional Marine Centre at the University of Ghana. The goal of UG-GMES' WIT program is ...

Le concours du GMES et l'Afrique "Incubation Challenge" 2021 cible les équipes ou individus ayant un grand intérêt pour la conception de solutions environnementales durables grâce à l'intelligence artificielle (IA), l'Internet des objets (IoT) et le Big Data qui pourraient avoir un impact sur les espaces marins et côtiers. Le Challenge vise à développer une culture d'innovation positive dans le domaine maritime et côtier, ainsi qu'à établir des partenariats avec des startups innovantes et des passionnés individuels. Ce concours est la plus récente innovante initiative du projet regional de GMES et l'Afrique dirigé par le consortium de l'Université du Ghana basé en Afrique de l'Ouest. Il s'agit également du 4ème concours organisé par l'Université du Ghana et ses partenaires depuis 2019. Le programme continental de "GMES et l'Afrique" est cofinancé par la Commission de l'Union africaine et la Commission européenne.  Pour...

The GMES and Africa Incubation Challenge 2021 competition targets teams or individuals with a keen interest in building sustainable environmental solutions using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data that could impact the marine and coastal spaces. The Challenge is directed at developing a positive innovation culture in the maritime and coastal domain as well as building partnerships with innovative startups and individual enthusiasts. The competition is the latest innovative initiative of the continental programme "GMES and Africa" co-funded by the African Union Commission and the European Commission and led by the University of Ghana's consortium based in West Africa. It is also the 4th competition organised by the University of Ghana and its partners since 2019.  The Challenge is open to citizens of any African country  or anyone residing in any African country. Applying teams or individuals are invited to focus their solutions on domain...

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 (...

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...

Pupils in Benin were involved in the commemoration of World Oceans Day celebrated all over the world. On Monday, June 7, 2021, the “Institut de Recherches Halieutiques et Océanologiques du Bénin” (IRHOB) had a meeting with students from the Bouba School Complex at Akpakpa, Cotonou, Benin. This was an opportunity for the next generation of leaders to learn more about the oceans, their worth and the need to preserve them. Pupils from the Bouba School Complex and the GMES and Africa team at IRHOB “Our existence is dependent on the water, and we derive our means of subsistence from the water; as a result, the preservation of the ocean is more than a requirement for environmental existence", stated Zacharie Sohou, Director of IRHOB. Every year, since 2009, the Institute commemorates World Oceans Day. This year, the Institute together with the GMES and Africa, opted to engage school children who are usually fast learners and are skilled enough to promote the 2021 theme "Oceans: li...