Interim Guinea Current Commission
TECHNICAL REPORT SERIES
FIRST MEETING OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC WORKING GROUP
ECONOMIC VALUATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES OF THE GUINEA
CURRENT LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEM
ACCRA 16 - 20 APRIL 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................3
2. OPENING CEREMONY................................................................................3
3. TECHNICAL SESSION........................................................................................................ .4
3.1 Organisation of the Session..........................................................................4
3.2 Summary of Presentations..........................................................................4
3.2.1 The GCLME Project: Assessment, Management and Sustainability..................4
3.2.2 Socioeconomic Indicators for the GCLME Goods and Services...........................5
3.2.3 Preliminary Report on the Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Goods and
Services and TDA.................................................................................6
3.2.4 Studies of the Economic Impacts of Marine Activities in LMEs ........................7
3.2.5 Governance Issues and the LMEs ............................................................8
3.2.6 Sustainable Financing for LMEs Programs.... ..............................................8
3.2.7 Review Exercises.............................................................................9
3.3 Practical Exercise.........................................................................................................9
4. CLOSING CEREMONY..............................................................................10
Annex 1: Programme................................................................................................................11
Annex 2: List of Participants............................................................................12
Annex 3: Address by Honourable Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and
Economic Planning..........................................................................16
2
1.
INTRODUCTION
The First Meeting of the Socio-economic Working Group of the Interim Guinea Current
Commission (IGCC) was held in the Conference Room of the Executive Secretariat of the
Commission, Accra, Ghana, from 16 to 20 April, 2007.
The objectives of the Meeting were:
1. Adoption of a standard method for Economic Valuation of Goods and Services of
Large Marine Ecosystems in Sub-Sahara Africa.
2. Review of preliminary "indicators of worth" of the GCLME to bordering States and
the global community.
Experts from the 16 members states of the IGCC, identified as members of the Socio-
economic Working Group, Representatives of UN and non-UN agencies, NGOs/CBOs,
Private Sector and various Stakeholders participated in the meeting. The list of Participants is
attached as Annex 2.
2.
OPENING CEREMONY
The Meeting was opened at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 16 2007 with four key speeches:
- The Chairman, Professor Babajide Alo, Director of the Centre for Environmental Human
Resources Development, University of Lagos, welcomed members of the Socio-economic
Working Group and stressed the importance of the Group in restoring the health of marine
ecosystems and addressing the degradation of coastal areas. He emphasised the need to
assess fisheries, socio-economy and governance in order to assign value to ecosystems as a
way of restoring them.
- Dr. Chika Ukwe, Project Manager, UNIDO explained the need to place value on ecosystem
goods and services, so as to evolve ways of constituting reserves for the overall development
of the ecosystem.
- Professor Chidi Ibe, the Executive Secretary, IGCC/Regional Director, GCLME welcomed
all participants and commended them for the sacrifices made to be present at the Meeting. He
3
stressed the importance of the task assigned the Group, stating that their output will furnish
the Private Sector with reasons to invest in environmental protection.
- Mr. Godwin Amuzu, Representative of the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic
Planning of Ghana, Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, recalled efforts made by the USNOAA, the
University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resource Center, and the Marine Policy Center of the
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in developing a suite of indicators of changing
conditions in Large Marine Ecosystems. The current meeting would afford the Working
Group the opportunity to benefit from these experiences, and subsequently improve the
results obtained by the consultant from Bioresources Development and Conservation
Programme (BDCP), on the Valuation of Ecosystem Goods and Services in the GCLME.
Finally, the representative of the Hon. Minister thanked all the participants and wished them a
happy stay in Ghana.
3.
TECHNICAL SESSION
3.1
Organisation of the Session
A bureau, with the following designated members, was proposed and adopted:
1.
Professor Tayo Fakiyesi (Nigeria) - Chairman
2.
Mrs. Mabel Yarhere (Nigeria) - Rapporteur
3.
Mrs. Ichola Rihanath Olga (Benin) - Rapporteur
The Working Group adopted, with slight modification, the Agenda for the Meeting. The
amended programme is attached as Annex 1.
3.2
Summary of Presentations
3.2.1 The GCLME Project: Assessment, Management and Sustainability
The project entitled "Combating Living Resources Depletion and Coastal Area Degradation
in the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem through Ecosystem-based Regional Actions"
was presented by Dr. Jacques Abe, of the Executive Secretariat of the IGCC.
He enumerated the four major environmental problems identified through the Transboundary
Diagnostic Analysis. He elaborated on the broad objectives of the project which are: recover
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and sustain depleted fisheries; restore degraded habitats; reduction of pollution from land and
ship-based sources; creation of a regional management framework for sustainable use of
living and non-living resources in the GCLME.
The five major components of the project are as follows:
finalisation of SAP and development of sustainable financing mechanisms for its
implementation;
recovery and sustainability of depleted fisheries and living marine resources
including mariculture;
planning for biodiversity conservation, restoration of degraded habitats and
development of strategies for reduction of coastal erosion;
reduction of land and ship-based pollutions and improvement of water quality;
regional coordination and institutional sustainability.
Dr. Abe stated that there were three regional and six national projects.
The major expected outcomes as well as modules for assessment and sustainability of the
GCLME are centred on:
1. Ecosystem productivity
2. Fishing and fisheries
3. Pollution and Ecosystem health
4. Socio-economic conditions
5. Governance
Special attention was paid to the human dimensions of LMEs represented by modules 4 and 5.
3.2.2
Socioeconomic Indicators for the GCLME Goods and Services
The paper was presented by Prof. Babajide Alo. He stated that the TDA was a veritable tool
for carrying out analyses. He restated the seven priority issues identified through the TDA in
the GCLME: the depletion of stocks of fish, the uncertain state of the ecosystem, inadequate
capacity to assess the ecosystem, the deterioration of the quality of water, the destruction and
modification of habitats, the loss of biodiversity and the proliferation of algae.
5
Professor Babajide Alo observed that six of the seven principal causes of environmental
degradation of the GCLME are found through the analysis of the socio-economy and
governance and require reforms. He stated that the Strategic Action Programme also requires
reforms and actions in respect of governance as well as the socio-economic dimensions of
Large Marine Ecosystems.
Professor Alo concluded by saying that capacity building, regional cooperation, development
and harmonisation of various relevant actions require knowledge of the analysis of
governance, designated institutions and interdisciplinary collaboration with socio-economists.
That is the task to be done under the theme socio-economic assessment.
3.2.3 Preliminary Report on the Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Goods and
Services and TDA
The paper was presented by the Consultant, Mr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone, from Bioresources
Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP). Having presented the objectives of the
economic evaluation project, Mr. Chukwuone gave a historical background of the various
problems encountered in the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Citing the case of
Nigeria, where evaluation of natural resources is practiced, he stressed the need for economic
evaluation of ecosystem goods and services in the member states of the GCLME.
Mr. Chukwuone enumerated the functions and attributes of GCLME and the recommended
techniques for evaluation. He elaborated on the constraints associated with the economic
valuation of ecosystem goods and services.
He then presented the evaluation of the direct values of the output of goods and services from
selected marine sectors of GCLME, focusing on the major products covered in this
evaluation.
Mr. Chukwuone presented case studies of the economic impact of potential funding of
GCLME by GEF (Global Environment Fund), titled: the impact of a ten percent increase and
decrease on productivity due to GEF funding and on net productivity of various categories of
stakeholders in fishing. He presented the evaluation of the returns from the resources and the
impacts on the fishery resources and the span of returns from resources with and without GEF
funding. He proposed the implementation of environmental accounting in member states of
GCLME, the generation of ecosystem valuation methods to be used in national accounts of
6
member of the GC-LME member countries and the various stages to be followed by the
Commission in initiating environmental accounting.
Some accounts proposed for consideration by the GCLME include: economic, demographic,
public service, fiscal and social analysis techniques that are available for the
analysis/projection of socio-economic impacts of development in the GCLME. Finally, he
dwelled at length on the gaps highlighted by the TDA in the domain of socio-economy and
governance.
Following that presentation, participants led by Professor Fakiyesi, reviewed the Report on
Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Goods and Services in the GCLME.
3.2.4 Studies of the Economic Impacts of Marine Activities in LMEs
This paper was presented by Dr. Porter Hoagland from the Marine Policy Centre, Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution. Mr. Hoagland explained the input/output approach which is a
practical way of gathering essential economic information pertaining to a vast range of
economic activities in LMEs.
He presented issues on research, in connection with sustainable funding. Mr. Hoagland
described other possible metrics for Marine Activity such as:
·
Individual industrial or recreational activity levels
·
Direct output Impacts
·
Total economic value
·
Marine activities indexes
He explained the Marine Activity Index (MAI) approach and illustrated the calculation of
Regional Marine Activity Indices, the Construction of a Regional MAI LME and the Measure
of Socio-economic Development.
He concluded by explaining the relationship between socio-economic development and
Marine Activity in the Benguela Current LME, the Yellow Sea, the Scotian Shelf and the
Northeast Shelf.
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3.2.5 Governance Issues and the LMEs
This paper was presented by Professor Babajide Alo, from the University of Lagos. He
underscored the potential benefits of Large Marine Ecosystems and the importance of
activities generated therein. Human activities, however, contribute to the degradation of the
marine environment. He stated that for good governance, it is necessary to understand the
socio-economic processes which affect the oceans and the coastal areas.
The TDA, for good governance, identified seven priority issues. Six out of the seven generic
root causes for these issues are challenges that require socio-economic analysis and
governance reforms.
The cycle of governance is generally broken into: the issue of identification through TDA, the
negotiation of a Strategic Action Programme, the formal endorsement of the SAP and its
related implementation.
Three primary mechanisms influence the utilisation of LMEs. They are the Market,
Institutional Arrangements, Civil Society and the Government.
3.2.6 Sustainable Financing for LMEs Programmes
This paper was presented by Prof Babajide Alo. He noted that for over 30 years, coastal
nations have enacted numerous laws to mitigate the degradation of marine ecosystems.
National and international programmes for managing marine resources have grown
significantly in scale and scope and it is therefore important to plan for long term financing of
programmes.
According to Prof. Alo, GEF funding is limited; it is necessary that countries agree on
financing mechanisms for their transboundary activities.
Two major challenges for sustainable funding of LME were noted:
1. Transboundary resources in LMEs. two or three countries have to agree on how to
manage the use of resources and finance the administration of management
programmes
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2. The second challenge for funding LME programmes after GEF funding ends is
competing for national funds with other sectors.
The market approach (which includes taxation, user charges and other financing mechanisms,
calibrating taxes and other charges to reflect ecological costs etc.), the value attached to LME
resources (type of value attached to services resources), an overview of finance mechanisms,
various criteria for the selection of financing options, and the steps for sustainable financing
of LMEs were developed by Prof. Alo.
3.2.7 Review Exercises
This presentation by Mr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone from Bioresources Development and
Conservation Programme (BDCP) recalled the following concepts:
Total economic value, constraints in valuing marine ecosystems, conventional economic
valuation methodologies, travel cost method, methodologies for estimating direct values of
goods and services relevant to marine sectors of the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem,
input output approach, generic causes of the socio-economic dimension of environmental
degradation in the GCLME, economic instruments and criteria for selection of policy
instruments.
3.3 Practical Exercise
The practical exercise was on the use of stated preference techniques, mainly the Contingency
Valuation Method (CVM), in the valuation of a named marine beach. After the discussion of
stages involved in CVM, a market scenario was simulated with different start prices.
20 participants were used as respondents to the valuation question. The respondents stated
their socio-economic attributes, including age, annual income, size of household, level of
education and sex. After responding to the questionnaire, the mean and the median of the
maximum amount willing to pay (WTP) was obtained. An attempt was also made to estimate
the valuation equation.
The participants also practiced how to calculate the resource rent for the fishing sector in
Ghana, using arbitrary figures.
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4.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The closing ceremony was chaired by Madam Kadiatou N'diaye, Secretary General of the
Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Guinea.
A summary of the proceedings of the Meeting was presented by Mrs Ichola Rihanath of the
Republic of Benin.
Dr Chika Ukwe, Project Manager, commended the participants for their commitment to the
task assigned them for the week. He stated that the Project would continue to rely on their
expertise to fine-tune the document, titled: Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Goods and
Services; that will be presented at the 2nd Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the GCLME
during the last quarter of 2007. He assured participants of UNIDO's continued support for the
Project.
Prof. Chidi Ibe, Executive Secretary, IGCC/Regional Director, GCLME, thanked the
Consultant, Mr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone for a job well done and the participants for their
inputs and amendments to the document. Thereafter, he officially adjourned the Meeting.
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Annex 1: Programme
Time Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Opening Ceremony
The input/output
Socio-economic indicators
08 :30-
economic model for Assessment and management
and productivity of goods Assessment of
10 :00
assessing LMEs. Part strategy for self funding of
Administrative
and services in GC-LME
Tourism/Leisure Activities
1
GEF projects for LMEs.
Arrangements
10:00-
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
10:30
The Input/Output
The GC-LME Project,
Assessment of other
economic model for
Assessment,
Projections and national
10 :30-
Assessment of fishes and maritime sectors e.g. ship assessing LMEs. Part
Management and
accounts
12 :00
fish resources in GC-LME construction, manufacturing 2
Sustainability
....
12 :00-
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
13 :30
Assessment of Wetlands
Orientation for Economic
13 :30-
(ex. mangroves), of
Assessment of goods and
Mechanisms of socio-economy
Assessment of Goods
15 :30
Mineral Exploitation and services of estuaries
Valuation Exercises
and governance
and Services
related Services
15 :30-
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
16 :00
Brief Summary and
16 :00-
Assessment of goods Assessment of Coastal Assessment of non-exploited
Recommendations
17 :30
and services in GCLME
Area transport of goods
resources
Valuation Exercises
Closing Ceremony
Cérémonie de Clôture
Annex 2: List of Participants
COUNTRIES
Angola
Bénin
Mr Rafael Pascoal
Ms. Rihanath Olga Ichola
Luanda Rua Francisco Da Necessidades
Ministère de l'Environnement et de la
No 29 6oA
Protection de Nature (Direction Générale de
Luanda , Angola
l'Environnement)
Tel: +244912514584
Cotonou, Benin
Email: rafaelpascoal2005@yahoo.com.br Tel: +229 90930931 / 97038929/
Fax: +229 21315081
Ms. Celestina Matias
Email: icholarihane@yahoo.fr
Instituto Nac Investigacant Pesqueirs
Luanda , Angola
Mr. Thomas O. Houedete
Tel: +244912402955
03BP 2113, Cotonou, Benin
Fax: +2442309731
Tel: +22997891360 / +229213834
Email: celesmatias70@hotmail.com
Fax: +22921380192
Email: ttohoue@yahoo.fr
Cameroun
Amélie Gbaguidi-Aziable
Mr. George Devine Eyabi Eyabi
Chargée des Ressources Halieutiques
Marine and Fisheries Research Station
Centre de Recherches Halieutique et
Limbe , Cameroon
Océanologique du Bénin
Tel: +2377410604
Carré 1348 Cotonou
Email: eegd48@yahoo.ca
Tel: (229) 21300964 / 90912691 / 21326212
Email: aziable2002@yahoo.fr
Côte d'Ivoire
Congo
Dr. Patrice Tagro
Dr. Alphonse Makaya
08 BP 453 Abidjan 08
BP 69
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Brazzaville, Congo
Tel : +22522483507 /22475958/07
Tel : +2425316509
Fax : +22522445666
Email: makaya_alphonse@yahoo.fr
Email: tagrokp@yahoo.com
Mr. Adon Felix Odi
Democratic Republic of Congo
BP V 194 Abidjan
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Ms. Celine Pembele
Tel: +22505706225
Av. Botango No. 17, Comine De Lemba
Fax: +22520216824
Kinshasa , Congo, D. R.
Email: aodi@petroci.ci
Tel : +243812321320
Email: celinepembelek@yahoo.fr
Gabon
Mr. Jean-Pierre Kadiadia Tshilumba
Ms. Sidonie Moussirou
57 Av. Justice c/Gombe (Centre national
BP 8624
d'Information Sur Environnement 2e
Libreville, Gabon
etage(CNIE) ou Bodila No57Q Kingabua
Tel : +241143503/+24107143503
Limite, Kinshasa , Congo, D. R.
Fax : +241772463
Tel: +243999946668
Email: djasiru@yahoo.fr
Email: ktshilumba@yahoo.fr
Ghana
Ghana
Mrs. Georgina Tackie
Mr. Yaw Osei-Asare
P. O. Box CE11773
University of Ghana
Tema , Ghana
Accra , Ghana
Tel: +233-22306386/0244331309
Tel : +233244224994
Fax: +233-21773899
Email: yoseiasare@ug.edu.gh
Email: georgina.tackie@undp.org
Mr. Rudolph Sandy Kuuzegh
Mr. Daniel Aggrey
P. O. Box M.232
Environmental Protection Agency
Accra, Ghana
P. O. Box M.326
Tel : +23321660005
Accra, Ghana
Fax : +23321660005
Tel : +23321664697/8
Email: sandykuuz@yahoo.co.uk
Email: daggrey@epaghana.org
Dr. Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey
Dr. George Wiafe
P. O. Box LG72
Department of Oceanography and Fisheries
Accra, Ghana
P. O. Box LG99
Tel : +23321502216-7/+233277487
Legon , Ghana
Fax : +23321500934
Tel : +233244607475
Email: ellearyeetey@myzipnet.com
Email: wiafeg@ug.edu.gh
Mr. Ayaa Kojo Armah
Mr. Benjamin D. Ofori
Dept. of Oceanography and Fisheries
Volta Basin Research Project
Accra , Ghana
P. O. Box LG 209, Legon
Tel: +233-21518129
Accra , Ghana
Fax: +233-21502701
Tel: +233 21 512819/ +233 2081
Email: akarmah@ug.edu.gh
Fax: +233 21 512681
Email: benod_orfori@yahoo.co.uk
Guinée
Mr. Samuel Quaatey
Madam Kadiatou N'diaye
Marine Fisheries Research Division
Ministère de l'Agriculture, Elevage,
Tema , Ghana
Environnement, Eaux et Forets,
Tel : +233 22 202346
BP 761 Conakry
Email: samquaatey@yanoo.com
Tel: +22460342076 / 60231302
Email: kadienye@yahoo.fr
Mr. Sylla Mamodouba
Guinée-Bissau
BP 761
Conakry , Guinea
Mr. Vaz Lourenco Antonio
Tel: +22460278906
Ministere des Ressources Naturelles
Fax: +22430468121
Guinea-Bissau
Email: syllaicha2002@yahoo.fr
Tel: +2457212741/2456640959
Fax: +245201753
Email: conivaz@yahoo.com.br
Mr. Kamba Sylla
BP 221
Conakry, Guinea
Tel: +22460346215 / 64400933
Email: skamba1957@yahoo.fr
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Liberia
Nigeria
Mr. Samuel Boakai
Mr. Sunny Ukweh
4th Street, Sinkor
Plot 479B Bangui Street Wuse 11 Abuja
Monrovia , Liberia
Abuja , Nigeria
Tel : +2316518875
Tel: +2348033462579
Email: samboakai2003@yahoo.com
Fax: +23496723041
Email: sunny@bioresources.org
Mr. Samuel Wesley
tephen Tolbert Estate, Garnerville
Mr. Ogbonnaya Nnenna
Monrovia , Liberia
Suite 19 Jinifa Plaza central Area
Tel: + 77037265
Abuja , Nigeria
Email: swdw45@yahoo.com
Tel : +2348034531133
Email: lookfornnena@yahoo.com
Nigeria
Prof. Babajide Alo
Dept. of Chemistry, University of Lagos
Prof. Tayo Fakiyesi
Lagos , Nigeria
c/o Department of Economics, University
Tel: +2348022903841
of Lagos
Fax: +23415820364
Lagos , Nigeria
Email: profjidealo@yahoo.com
Tel: +2348033090442
Email: fakiyesi_tayo@yahoo.com
Nnaemeka Chukwuone
Mrs. Mabel Yarhere
Research Fellow
Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and
Bioresources Development &
Marine Research
Conservation Programme (BDCP)
Lagos , Nigeria
479 B Bangui ST, Off Adetokumbo
Tel: +2348023392901
Ademola Crescent, Abuja
Email: mtyarhere@yahoo.com
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Tel: (234) 08051242411
Email: nnachukwuone@yahoo.com
Ms. Kelechi C Anyanwu
Mr. Onyemauche Ikeh
No. 7 Dele Udo, Ikenegbu, Owere,
Plot 479B, Bangui Street, WuseII
Imo State, Lagos, Nigeria
Abuja , Nigeria
Tel: +234 08033420179
Tel : +2348033263783
Email: kelechy24@yahoo.com
Email: ikenoblee@yahoo.co.uk
Mr. Kingsley Ndukwu
Sierra Leone
48 Oladimeji Aguda S/lere
Lagos, Nigeria
Dr. Denis M. Sandy
Tel : +2348056819251/+233243959
Lower Faculty Flats
Email: kingsksm@yahoo.com
Freetown , Sierra Leone
Tel : +23276654869
Email: denis_sandy@yahoo.com
Mr. Samuel Braima
Fourah Bay College
Freetown , Sierra Leone
Tel : +23276611321
Email: samjambra1@yahoo.com
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Sao Tome e Principe
Mr Jose Carlos Mereno Ribeiro
CP-493 Sao Tome & Principe
Sao Tome & Principe
Tel: +239221867/916679
Fax: +233221867/223298
Email: jectayta@yahoo.com
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
ONUDI
Marine Policy Center,
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Chika Ukwe (Dr.)
(WHOI)
Industrial Development Officer
(International Water), Project Manager Dr. Porter Hoagland
GCLME
MSH41, Marine Policy Center Woods Hole
Water Management Unit,
Oceanographic Institution
PTC / ECB Branch UNIDO
MA, United States
P. O. Box 300, A 1400 Vienna Austria
Tel: +15082892867
Tel: +43 1260263465
Fax: +15084572184
Fax: +43 1260266819
Email:phoagland@whoi.edu
Email: c.ukwe@unido.org
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT OF CICG
Prof. Chidi Ibe
Dr. Jacques Abe
Executive Secretary, IGCC / Regional Environment Expert
Director,
Cell: 233- 243 630649
No. 1 Akosombo Road
Email: gclme@unido.org, jabel@hotmail.com
PMB CT 324, Accra, Ghana
Tel: 233- 21- 781225 / 768592
Mr. Napoleon Gbolonyo
Cell: 233- 244- 863388
Administrative Officer
Fax: 233- 21- 781226
Cell: 233-244- 524298
Email:c.ibe@unido.org, gclme@unido.org
Email: gbolonyo@yahoo.com
Mr. Joshua Okechuku Ndubuisi
Ms. Kelechi Ihemeje
IT Specialist
Personal Assistant to Regional
Cell: 233- 243- 667 102
Director / Editor
Email: nduijooch@hotmail.com
Cell: 233- 243- 668758
Email: kihemeje@yahoo.com
Ms. Sylvia Osei Nsenkyire
National Programme Assistant
Ms. Selina Kuukuwa Yawson
Cell: 233- 244- 642 858
Junior Scientific Officer
Email: s.nsenkyire@yahoo.com
Cell: 233- 244- 515 026
Email: s.yawson@yahoo.com
Ms. Thelma Hodey
Secretary/Receptionist
Cell: 233-277- 5824 68
Email: takrumah@yahoo.co.uk
15
Annex 3: Address by Hon. Kwadwo Baah- Wiredu, Minister for finance and Economic
Planning Economic
Mr. Chairman,
Executive Secretary, Interim Guinea Current Commission,
Representative of UNIDO and other UN Agencies,
Distinguished Workshop Participants,
Distinguished members of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
It affords me great pleasure to be invited to open this august meeting of the working group on Socio-
Economics of the IGCC. Permit me first to welcome you all especially those of you who have traveled
from far and near to our dear country Ghana. I have been reliably informed that this group is meeting
to develop standardized methodology for valuation of goods and services of Large Marine Ecosystem
in sub-Saharan Africa and to develop preliminary indicators of the `worth' of the GCLME to
bordering states and the Global community.
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem (GCLME), stretching from Guinea Bissau to Angola, is
ranked among the most productive coastal and offshore waters in the world with rich fishery
resources, oil and gas reserves, precious minerals, a high potential for tourism and an important
reservoir of marine biological diversity of global significance.
Mr. Chairman,
Despite the abundant resources of the Guinea Current the over 300 million people living in its coastal
areas continue to wallow in abject poverty. This unfortunate situation, the experts say, are the result of
anthropogenic activities including over-exploitation of fisheries, pollution from domestic, industry and
agricultural sources and poorly planned and managed coastal developments and near-shore activities
which have resulted in a rapid degradation of coastal and offshore habitats, living marine resources of
the GCLME, putting the economics and health of the populace at risk.
As part of the steps being taken to restore the GCLME to its natural status, the project is implementing
various programmes. Part of the activities is the formation of a socio-economics working group which
is gathered here today to place value on the Goods and Services being deployed in the restoration
attempt.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have also been informed that the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries has developed a 5-module suite of indicators of changing condition in Large Marine
Ecosystems. These modules include socio-economics. It is also known that since 2002, efforts have
been directed at improving socio-economic indicators methodology by a team of Large Marine
Ecosystem specialists in Economics and Governance from the University of Rhode Island's Coastal
Resource Center and from marine Policy Center of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
One of the major issues being addressed by the team is valuation of Large Marine Ecosystem goods
and services. Some of these experts, I understand, are among us to share their rich experiences with
participants. Among participants also are experts from the sixteen countries of the IGCC who will also
share with colleagues experiences from their various countries.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that after these five days of intensive work, participants will come out with concrete
proposals that will translate into good policies that can be implemented by all stakeholders for the
benefit of the socio-economic well being of the people in the sub-region.
Distinguished Participants, despite your very busy schedule, I invite you to take some time off to visit
some tourist sites while in Ghana and enjoy the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality. I wish you fruitful
deliberations. Thank you.
16