Countries in Africa’s coastal regions have been urged to embrace the Blue Economy to realise the benefits they stand to gain in the future.
The Academic Dean at the World Maritime University, Professor Michael Ekow Manuel, who made the call at the launch of the Africa Blue Economy Network in Tema last Friday, said the blue economy had great potential to contribute to higher and faster economic growth across Africa.
Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean’s eco-system. The Africa Blue Economy Network is an initiative that seeks to promote research, learning and practical application of blue economy principles through multidisciplinary collaboration.
The overall objective for the establishment of the Africa Blue Economy Network was to promote collaboration between academia and the maritime industry.
Aims
Drawing on data collected through extensive fieldwork, surveys and qualitative interviews, the network aims to inform policymaking and raise public awareness of the importance of preserving marine ecosystems.
Prof. Manuel indicated that Africa’s blue economy, including broadly the preservation of the continent’s oceans and the responsible and sustainable use of its resources through the fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, renewable energy and biotechnology industries, was an untapped treasure trove.
Coastline
He said the continent’s coastline stretching over 30,000 kilometres offered unparalleled potential for growth and prosperity, adding “even with the limited activities that currently characterise Africa’s blue economy, coastal and marine ecosystems alone contribute tens of billions of US dollars annually to the continent’s economy.”
Research
A Co-Principal Investigator on Port Effective and Public-Private Cooperation for Competitiveness (PEPP) and Team Lead of researchers in Ghana, Dr George Acheampong, said the network was an initiative to promote research, learning and practice of the blue economy in Africa by creating a platform for academics, industry practitioners and the government to engage on critical sectorial issues from a multidisciplinary perspective.
via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-embrace-blue-economy-for-better-future-prof-manuel.html
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