The Centre for Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has launched its 10th-anniversary celebrations with a call on the Centre to rededicate itself to work hard to achieve more in the coming years for UCC.
Over the decade, the Centre which is also known to be Africa’s Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience is said to have made strides in the area of coastal environmental protection and enhancement that has promoted the visibility of UCC and Ghana on the global front.
During his presentation on the ‘Impact Story of the Centre’, the Director of the Centre, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto noted that since its inception, the Centre for Coastal Management at UCC has lived up to its mandate of engaging in applied research, capacity building, as well as extension and outreach activities.
On Capacity building, he explained that the Centre was tasked by the University to build the professional competency of stakeholders working on coastal zone issues through the use of best practices available in developing short courses, using standardized modules, and technical sessions in classroom and field activities.
“And the University asked us to enhance the technical leadership capacities of professionals from diverse backgrounds, not just fisheries and coastal resource managers, but also disaster management officials, community development workers, educators in the private sector,” he added.
He said under Applied research, the Centre was also to act as a focal point for collaborative research on coastal zone issues in Ghana. The Centre, on the basis of the research, is to engage in research of policy relevance linked to fisheries management and governance issues within Coastal communities.
Also, on extension and outreach, they were to provide an up to date, science-based information and technical skills by engaging stakeholders for the greater benefit of the Ghanaian society.
“So, you realize that by virtue of these three mandates that we were given, we have been in the forefront,” he emphasized.
The 10th anniversary is on the theme, “Celebrating a Decade of Impactful Research and Capacity Building: Towards Sustainability and Resilience of Africa’s Coastal and Marine Environment.”
While launching the anniversary celebrations, the Vice Chancellor of UCC, Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong indicated that establishing the Centre a decade ago stemmed out of the university’s readiness to partner with other stakeholders to reduce coastal degradation which in recent times is on the rise in the country.
“Increasing human influence through pollution, over-exploitation of fisheries and other natural resources, the impact of global warming and climate change has compelled the University of Cape Coast to join forces with other well-meaning organizations to reduce coastal degradation and protect the coast,” he opined.
He added that although the Centre must be commended for its remarkable contributions and dedication for the past ten years, there is more room for improvement and thus the need for the Centre to recommit itself to hard work so it can achieve more.
Meanwhile, he urged members of the University community to fully support the Centre and participate in the series of events lined up within the year for the celebration of the biggest achievements.
The anniversary celebration is earmarked by yearlong activities such as Cooking competition and cultural night, Monthly webinars, Celebration of Ocean and environmental day (An International Day Celebration), A comprehensive research report, Public lecture and Memorial Lecture, A community outreach to Ada and the Volta Region.
Others include an Exhibition for stakeholders during the Closed season, 3rd Annual Workshop for the US-West Africa Coastal Resilience Research Consortium, Health Screening and walk, Blue Economy Conference, Inaugural Lecture of Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, Launching of Ocean Institute and the Commissioning of the ACECoR Building, as well as a Dinner and Awards Night.
Read also: Faculty of Social Sciences Celebrates First Class Students
Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
