Thirteenth Edition
May, 2006
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ANGOLA - BENIN - CAMEROON - CONGO - CÔTE D'IVOIRE - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - EQUATORIAL GUINEA - GABON - GHANA - GUINEA - GUINEA BISSAU - LIBERIA - NIGERIA - SAO TOME & PRINCIPE - SIERRA LEONE - TOGO
By Kelechi Ihemeje, Editor
Commissioning of the "Kenneth Sherman Conference Hall" of the RCU, Accra -
On 11 May 2006, the Commissioning of the RCU
Ghana, 11 May, 2006.
Conference Hall as the "Kenneth Sherman Confer-
ence Hall" by the Ghanaian Minister for Fisheries,
L-R: Hon. Mrs. Gladys
Honourable Mrs. Gladys Asmah, preceded the Open-
Asmah, Ghanaian
ing Ceremony of the Second GCLME Steering Com-
Minister for Fisheries,
mittee Meeting which was a necessary step towards
Dr. kenneth Sherman
the effective implementation of the project. The Ob-
and Dr. Chika Ukwe of
jectives of the Meeting were to provide strategic ori-
UNIDO being escorted
entation for the management of the project, assess
to the "Kenneth
progress achieved so far in project implementation
Sherman Conference
and discuss and approve the annual work programme
Hall" for
commisisioning.
and budget.
The Commissioning was witnessed by National Direc-
tors and representatives of the 16 GCLME memebr
countries, NGOs, Representatives of the Private Sec-
tor, Observers, as well as National, Regional and In-
ternational Organizations, including UNIDO, UNDP,
R-L Prof. Ibe briefing
the Hon. Minister on
UNEP, US-NOAA, IMO, FAO and NEPAD while the
the contributions of Dr.
Special Guest of Honour was Dr. Kenneth Sherman,
Sherman to the GCLME
Director, Narragansett Laboratory, National Marine
project.
Fisheries Service of the United States National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration (US-NOAA).
The participants accompanied the Regional Director,
Prof. Chidi Ibe, Dr. Shereman and Dr. Chika Ukwe,
GCLME Project Manager as they escorted the
Honourable Minister to the "Kenneeth Sherman Con-
ference Hall" for commissioning as well as unveiling of
Dr. Kenneth Sherman's portrait adjacent to the Hall.
Hon. Mrs. Asmah
(right) being assisted by
Prof. Ibe described the gesture as the project's way of
Prof. Ibe (left) unveil-
paying tribute to Dr. Sherman for his invaluable con-
ing a picture of Dr.
tributions to the sustainable management of coastal
Sherman adjacent to
and marine environment through the Concept of Large
the "Kenneth sherman
Conference Hall".
Marine Ecosystem, of which he is the principal propo-
nent. Hon. Mrs. Asmah applauded the contributions of
Dr. Sherman to rational environmental and living re-
sources management in Africa and beyond and ex-
pressed joy in being present on the occasion to honour
him.
C o p y r i g h t , G C L M E , 2 0 0 6

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v. & Sc
ence, Hon.
G C L M E N e w s l e t t e r Page 2
Thirteenth Edition May, 2006
Following the Commissioning of the kenneth
Sherman Coference Hall was the Opening Cer-
The Second Regional Steering Committee Meeting, Accra - Ghana, 11 May, 2006.
emony of the Second Steering Committee of
the project. While stressing on the all-inclusive
nature of the project, Prof. Chidi Ibe expressed
appreciation for individual and collective sup-
port and contributions of all stakeholders to-
wards the advancement of the project. The rep-
resentatives from UNIDO, UNDP, UNEP, US-
NOAA and NEPAD each reiterated their orga-
nizations' commitment to the success of the
Project.
Honourable Mrs. Asmah described the signifi-
cant progress made by the project within the
first year of implementation as remarkable and
precise. She commended the GCLME Team,
both at the regional and national levels as well
as the Implementing Agencies (UNDP and
UNEP) and Executing Agency (UNIDO), for
the important and strategic roles played in
project implementation. She reassured all
L-R: Mrs. Madeleine Bolliger - Klah (UNDP), M. Leonard Muamba Kanda,
present of the continued support of the Gov-
GCLME National Director from Congo RDC, Hon. Mrs. Gladys Asmah, Prof. Chidi
ernment of Ghana for the implementation of
Ibe, Dr. kenneth Sherman and Dr. Chika Ukwe at the Opening Ceremony.
Kelechi Ihemeje
Project.
L-R: Dr. Chika
Prof. Ibe recapped the main objectives of the
Ukwe, Mr. Joshua
project, its focal areas and discussed the main
N d u b u i s i
strategies for the project implementation. He
(GCLME ICT
highlighted the achievements and progress of
Specialist), Ms.
the project since the last session of the Steering
Carolyn A. Ristau
(Consultant to
Committee and presented GCLME project
Pro-Natura), Mr.
work plan for 2006. He informed the meeting
malamine Thiam
that the work plan for the first quarter of 2006
(IMO) and Mrs.
had so far been achieved .
M a d e l e i n e
B o l l i g e r - K l a h
The Project budget for 2006 was presented by
(UNDP).
the Project Manager, Dr. Chika Ukwe of
UNIDO while the GCLME National Directors
made progress reports on the implementation
of the Project in their respective countries. They
each reported on progress made with the launch-
R-L: Mr. A.
ing of Project activities in their countries as
Karikari, Ghana,
well as the status of National Demonstration
Bar. Patrick Odok,
Projects where applicable and also reiterated
Comm. for Env.
the support of their respective governments
CRS, Nig. & Mr. B.
for the Project.
d'Almeida, Sao
Tome. R-L behind
Recommendations of the Meeting included
Mr. Karikari are
adoption of the Progress Report for 2005 and
Prof. Emmanuel
further consolidation of collaboration on prag-
Obot, Nig., Mr.
matic activities with various UN and non-UN
Henry Okoli, an
Agencies like FAO, IOC-UNESCO, IMO,
Ind. Consultant
IUCN/WWF, IMR (Norway), US-NOAA,
from Vienna and
USACE, Canadian CIDA, ICS-UNIDO, SPLF-
the GCLME Edi-
DFID etc, for project implementation and cross-
tor, Ms. Kelechi
sectoral co-operation within project countries.
Ihemeje.
C o p y r i g h t , G C L M E , 2 0 0 6

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G C L M E N e w s l e t t e r Page 3
Thirteenth Edition May, 2006
The Second Steering Committee Meeting was followed
by the First Tripartite Review Meeting of the GCLME
The First TriPrtite Review Meeting, Accra - Ghana, 12 May, 2006.
project held in the Ken Sherman Conference Hall of
the RCU, Accra, Ghana on 12th May, 2006. The meet-
ing was attended by National Directors and represen-
tatives of the 16 participating countries, NGOs, Rep-
resentatives of the Private Sector as well as National,
Regional and International Organizations, including
UNIDO, UNDP, UNEP, US-NOAA, IMO, FAO and
NEPAD. The Meeting was officially opened by the
Ghanaian Minsiter Designate for Local Government,
Rural Development and Environment, Hon. Stephen
Asamoah Boateng and chaired by Mr. Leonard Muamba
Kanda, National Director and Secretary General of the
Ministry of Environment of the Democratic Republic
of Congo. The Special Guest of Honour was Dr. Ken-
neth Sherman, Director, Narragansett Laboratory, Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service of the United States
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
L-R: Hon. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister Designate for Local Government, Rural
(US-NOAA).
Development & Environment, Ghana, Prof. Chidi Ibe, Dr. Kenneth Sherman and Dr.
Chika Ukwe.
Each of the representatives from UNIDO, UNDP,
L-R: Dr. Stephen
Duah-Yentumi &
UNEP, US-NOAA and NEPAD commended the out-
Mrs. Madeleine
comes of the Second Steering Committee Meeting of
Bolliger-Klah of
the GCLME Project, held on 11th May, 2006 and
UNDP and Mr.
expressed satisfaction at the remarkable progress so far
Maiwadar Omar,
achieved in the first year of the project implementa-
Deputy Director,
tion.
federal Ministry
of Environment,
The Minister lauded the efforts of the Project at ensur-
Abuja who is the
ing environmental sustainability in the Region and ex-
GCLME Project
pressed optimism that the Meeting would come out
N a t i o n a l
with recommendations that will clearly establish the
Director for
compatibility between the objectives of the project
Nigeria.
and priorities of Governments.
Prof. Ibe's presentation focused on Project Concept
and Design:Compatibility of Objectives of the Project
with the Priorities of Governments; Compatibility of
the Original Design with the Current Orientation of
the Project; Overall Development Goals of the project:
Strategies of the project: presentation of funds lever-
aged by various governments and agencies which in-
clude the cost of equipment and infrastructure
provided.He finally assured all present that the project
management will continue to follow the project guide-
lines outlined in the project document and will not
deviate from the commitments made at the prepara-
tion stage.
The Meeting recommended among others, that Na-
tional Steering Committees should be given the neces-
sary support to continue project implementation in
Group photograph of participants with the Minister Designate for Local Government,
their respective countries
Rural Development & Environment, Ghana, Mr. Asamoah Boateng.
C o p y r i g h t , G C L M E , 2 0 0 6

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G C L M E N e w s l e t t e r Page 4
Thirteenth Edition April, 2006
G C L M E N e w s l e t t e r Page 4
Thirteenth Edition May, 2006
From 8-10 May 2006, the GCLME project orga-
nized a Regional Capacity Building Workshop for
Regional Capacity Building Workshop for Environmental Lawyers and
Journalists, Accra, Ghana, 8-10 May 2006.
Environmental Lawyers and Journalists at the RCU
Conference Hall in Accra. The aim of the Workshop
wasto increase awareness and build the capacity of
environmental lawyers and journalists on the fol-
lowing areas:
- Environmental rights as they relate to human
rights
- Priority environmental issues in the GCLME
- Legal and Institutional Framework in place to
manage priority environmental issues
- To constitute a forum to facilitate experiences and
information sharing among participants
- To establish a platform for mutual collaboration
and follow-up especially under the GCLME
project.
The Workshop was attended by environmental law-
L-R: Mr. Soji Awogbade, President of the Nigerian Environmental Lawyers Association,
yers and one environmental journalists from the 16
Honourable Captain (Rtd.) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey, Deputy Minister for Interior, Ghana,
member countries, working in close collaboration
Prof. Chidi Ibe and Mr. J.A. Allotey, Executve Director, EPA, Ghana.
with the populations and decision makers in the
coastal areas of the 16 countries bordering the
R-L: Mr. Kiala
Guinea Current to reverse the trends of environ-
Miranda from
mental degradation, through awareness creation and
Angola, Mr.
advocacy for compliance. It was officially opened
Ibrahim Seibure
by the Deputy Minister for Interior Hon. Captain
and Mr. Joseph
(Rtd.) Nkrabea Effah- Dartey, Barrister at Law.
Kobba from Sierra
Leone. Directly
behind Mr. Seibure
The Chairman for the occasion, Mr. Soji Awogbade,
is Mr. Chinedum
President of the Nigerian Lawyers Association ex-
U w a e g b u l a m
pressed optimism that the meeting of the two groups
from Nigeria.
would serve as a platform for pertinent interac-
tions that would promote the course of environ-
mental protection and the attainment to the goals
of the GCLME project.
Prof. Chidi Ibe stated that the two groups which he
described as " special breeds of people" had been
brought together on a common platform, due to
the common streak that runs through their profes-
sions which is "advocacy for environmental
sustainability".
The GCLME Project Manager, Dr. Chika Ukwe of
UNIDO, Vienna re-emphasized the commitment
of UNIDO to the realization of the recommenda-
tions of the Workshop and stressed that the project
was counting on the media and lawyers to achieve
its objectives through their sustained efforts at ad-
vocacy, education and information dissemination to
Group photograph of participants with the Deputy Minister for Interior, Ghana, Envi-
all sectors of society.
ronment & Science, Ghana - Honourable Captain (Rtd.) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey.
C o p y r i g h t , G C L M E , 2 0 0 6 Layout by J o s h u a O k e c h u k u N d u b u i s i, ICT Specialist

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