GC LME
Newsletter
First Edition
May, 2005
A N G O L A - BENIN - CAMEROON - CONGO - CÔTE D'IVOIRE - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - EQUATORIAL GUINEA - GABON - GHANA - GUINEA - GUINEA BISSAU - LIBERIA - NIGERIA - SAO TOME & PRINCIPE - SIERRA LEONE - TO G O
BACK TO STAGE :
OVERVIEW/RESUME OF THE GCLME PROJECT:
The Guinea Current Large
The Implementation of the GCLME
Marine Ecosystem (GCLME)
project (a carry over from the pilot phase
Project is an ecosystem based
Gulf of Guinea LME Project 1995 - 1999)
effort to assist the sixteen
commenced officially in Mid November
(16) countries adjacent to the
2004.
Guinea Current Ecosystem
to achieve environmental and
I was lucky to arrive in the Regional Coordinating Unit on 19
resource sustainability. This
April 2005, less than a week before the organization of the
would be accomplished by
First Regional Steering Committee Meeting 25-27 April 2005.
shifting from short-term
sector by sector driven
This First Edition of the GCLME Newsletter has been a little
management objectives to a
rushed but for good reasons - to report on the Meeting. What
The 16 GCLME Countries
longer-term perspective and
transpired during the 3 days was both exhilarating as it was
from managing commodities
inspiring. And I could not wait to share it with you. Further
to sustaining the production potential for ecosystem-wide goods and
editions can only get better.
services.
Happy reading.
THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S PROGRESS REPORT :
Kelechi Ihemeje
The Regional Director, GCLME, Prof. Chidi Ibe presented the
Editor
achievements made so far which include :
OPENING AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS :
Establishment of a well equipped Regional Coordination Unit
office with the support of the Ghanaian government.
The First Steering Committee of the GCLME was held at the Regional
Coordination Unit, Accra from 25 to 27 April, 2005. The Meeting was
chaired by Mr. Edward Nsenkyire, Chief Director of the Ministry of
Environment and Science. Following recapitulation of the highlights of
the approved
GCLME Project
Document, the
Regional Director
presented a progress
report which
included actions in
relation to the
establishment of the
The GCLME RCU, Accra, Ghana
R e g i o n a l
Made substential progress in the recruitment of staff
Coordination Unit
Chairman of the Meeting, Mr. Edward Nsenkyire,
Ongoing process for the establishment of Regional Activity
and the development
Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment
Centres i.e. the Regional Marine Productivity Laboratory at
of regional
and Science (Ghana). To his right is the Regional
the University of Ghana, Legon; the Regional Environmental
c o o r d i n a t i o n
Director, GCLME, Prof. Ibe Chidi.
Information Management Centre at the University of Lagos;
mechanisms. He also presented a catalogue of activities undertaken
the Regional Pollution Monitoring and Research Centre in
since the formal commencement of project implementation in
the facilities of the Imo State Environmental Protection Agency
November 2004.
(ISEPA), Owerri, Nigeria; the Activity Centre (cont. page 2)
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GCLME Newsletter
Page 2
Fisrt Edition May, 2005
for Comprehensive Risk Analysis and Management in Libreville,
Gabon and the Fisheries Activity Centre in Luanda, Angola.
The achievements also include the following project activities already
undertaken :
Training on Geographical Information Systems (in collabora-
tion with ICS-UNIDO), Lagos, Nigeria, 6 -10 December,
2004.
The participants
to the Regional
Training Work-
shop on GIS,
Lagos, Nigeria, 6-
The Regional Director (GCLME) escorting Madame Fatima
10 Dec. 2004
Bennani - Baita (UNIDO Representative for Central Africa based
in Cameroun. Following the official opening of the ICAM Workshop
on 11 - 15 April, 2005. To her right is Dr. Jean Folack, who was the
Local Organizer of the Workshop.
Workshop on Coastal Dynamics and Early Warning Systems
(with AU-STRC and IOC-UNESCO), Accra, Ghana, 14 - 18
Joint Workshop on TDA and Indicators, Accra, Ghana, 18 - 22
March, 2005.
April, 2005.
The high table at the Closing
Ceremony of the Workshop on
Coastal Dynamics and Early
Warning Systems, Accra,
Ghana, 14 - 18 March, 2005
Group photo TDA Workshop, Accra, Ghana, 18 - 22 April, 2005
The Workshop partici-
pants on a site visit of
gabions installations
Ghana, March, 2005
Formulation of Strategic Plan for the Identification and Map-
ping of Physically Altered Sensitive Habitats, March, 2005.
Mission to some central African countries to identify pollu-
tion hotspots, 2 - 15 April, 2005.
Dr. Bradford Brown leading a sub group discussion during
Workshop on Integrated Coastal Areas Management (ICAM),
the TDA Workshop, Accra, Ghana, 18 - 22 April, 2005
Kribi, Cameroon, 11 - 15 April, 2005.
The Regional Director's presentation also included activities sched-
Group photo
uled in the immediate future which are :
ICAM Workshop,
A Training Workshop on Mangrove Assessment and Restoration,
Kribi,Cameroon,
30 May - 03 June, 2005
11 - 15 April,
A Methodology Workshop on Fish Trawl Survey, 02 - 04 June,
2005
2005
A Regional Fish Trawl Survey, 05 June - 05 July, 2005
A Ship Board Training on Marine Pollution Sampling and
Analysis, 07 - 15 June, 2005
He also briefed the Committee on the steps taken to establish or
consolidate partnerships for an efficient implementation of the
Project.
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GCLME Newsletter
Page 3
Fisrt Edition May, 2005
OPENING OF THE REGIONAL COORDINATING UNIT:
Mrs Kaba Nassere (Cote d'Ivoire) presenting
COURTESY CALL ON THE GHANAIAN PRESIDENT
AT "CASTLE OSU"
Hon. Christine Churcher, Minister of Environment and Science, Ghana
(2nd right), unveils a plaque to inaugurate the GCLME-RCU Build-
ing, assisted by Dr. Kenneth Sherman (wearing hat) representing US-
NOAA. By the Minister is the Chief Director of the Ministry of Envi-
ronment and Science (Ghana), Mr. Edward Nsenkyire.
Read what the Regional Director (GCLME) told the Vice-President :
" The marvelous facility donated by Ghana to serve as the Regional
Coordinating Unit of the GCLME is yet another manifestation of the
enduring interest and contributions of the leadership of Ghana to re-
gional integration".
Seated in the background from left to right are: Dr Vladimir Mamaev
(UNEP-GEF), Mr Edward Nsenkyire and Dr Agambila, Chief Direc-
tor and Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment and Science (Ghana)
The high table at the Opening Ceremony of the First Regional Steer-
respectively
ing Committee Meeting. From left to right : Dr Abdoulaye Ndiaye
(UNDP), Dr Chika Ukwe (UNIDO), Hon. Christine Churcher, Minis-
ter of Environment and Science (Ghana), Dr A.K. Armah (University
of Ghana, Legon), Chairman of the meeting, Dr. Ken Sherman (US-
NOAA) and Dr Vladimir Mamaev (UNEP).
PRESENTATIONS :
The National Project Directors presented the progress reports of their
respective countries.
He also told him that the GCLME Project will be progressively trans-
formed into an Interim Guinea Current Commission by the end of
2005 and into a Permanent Guinea Current Commission by 2009.
The RD went furhter to say that as the seat of the RCU, Ghana has
a special role to play in spearheading the initiatives inscribed in the
the Project Document. "In this regard", he continued, "we will be
counting on your ingenuity, your irrepressible energy, your vision, and
your wise counsel. Together , Your Excellency, we can make a differ-
ence in the lives of the 300 million plus people of the GCLME Re-
Mrs. Maria Esperanca Dos-Santos (Angola) presenting
gion."
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GCLME Newsletter
Page 4
Fisrt Edition May, 2005
COURTESY CALL ON THE GHANAIAN PRESIDENT
AT "CASTLE OSU" (cntd)
A cross section of the Regional Steering committee that accompa-
nied the Regional Director on the visit to the Presidential Castle,
OSU. The Editor, Ms. Ihemeje is sitting between Mrs Solange
Ndoulou Loubamono (Gabon) and Mr Paulino Esono (Equatorial
Guinea). Also sitting (left) is Dr Fortunato Eneme Efua (Equato-
Hear what the Vice-President replied to the Steering Committee : " The
rial Guinea). Standing are (left to right) Prof. Tchala Abina
President who arrived late last night from the African-Asian Summit
François (Cameroon), Mr Lourenço Vaz (Guinea Bissau), Mrs Dora
had planned to receive you personally. He has, however, asked me to
Blessich (FAO), Prof. Kolawole S. Adam (CEDA, Benin), Ms Fabia
state that Ghana attaches great importance to attaining the develop-
Fabyan (Pro-Natura Int.) and Mr Robert Kennedy (US Army Corps
ment goals and objectives of the GCLME Project, because historically,
of Engineers - European Reseach Office)
the well being of our populations has been tied to the marine environ-
ment and its resources. Ghana is a proud host of the RCU and will do
DR KENNETH SHERMAN : A SPECIAL PARTICIPANT
its utmost to support the transformation of the GCLME Project into a
Permanent Commission
Dr Kenneth Sherman, a high profile participant representing US-
See what Dr Chika Ukwe, the Project Manager
NOAA. Dr Ken Sherman is the originator of the LME concept of
(UNIDO) presented to the Vice-President : a UN
marine environmental and living resources management. He is the
folder and a UN pen as souvenir of the visit.
Director of the Narrangansett Marine Laboratory and Adjunct
Professor, University of Rhode Island.
A view of the GCLME RCU office building, Accra, Ghana
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Layout by Joshua Okechuku Ndubuisi, ICT Specialist
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