Early Career Ocean Professionals Africa awarded 'Ocean Tribute Award’

25 January 2024

Above: Aerial view of fishing village, pirogues fishing boats in Kayar, Senegal.  ECOP Africa work with local communities and diverse local and international stakeholders to develop strategies to scaleup nature-based solutions and sustainable aquaculture strategies to not only address climate change, but also directly tackle poverty and food security issues.

Dr Anthony Ndah, Ecosystem Services scientist at PML (Plymouth Marine Laboratory), is the Coordinator ECOP Africa, and has represented the regional network of early-career ocean professionals at high-level meetings including the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai in November. 

Above: Dr Anthony Ndah at COP28. Anthony delivered three talks, met with Peter Thompson US Special Envoy of the Ocean, and participated in several other events, networking extensively with diverse stakeholders. 

The ‘Ocean Tribute Award’ is an initiative of boot Düsseldorf, and, together with the partners of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the German Ocean Foundation, the award has been honoring ocean conservation initiatives, associations and projects that are particularly committed to the preservation of the oceans since 2018. 

The prize is worth €20,000, and during the awards ceremony last week, the jury chose ECOP Africa, a regional node of ECOP Programme, a UN Decade endorsed program which supports and connects a wide range of young professionals and volunteers from the broad field of marine and water protection. 

Dr Anthony Ndah commented on the news: 

“This award means so much to ECOP Africa as it demonstrates that our message and efforts to address the complex challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty alleviation and community empowerment through innovative nature-based solutions hubs resonates with the rest of the world. We aspire to be at the forefront of positive change in Africa.” 

"Our efforts to give a voice to ECOPs in Africa, and make a positive difference at the national, regional and global stages are gradually becoming a reality. Watch this space.” 

ECOP Africa has a vision to promote innovative nature-based carbon sequestration solutions and sustainable aquaculture across Africa. Peter Teye Busumprah from Ghana who worked tirelessly towards this success accepted the award on behalf of the network. 

Above: Frank Schweikert (Vorstand Deutsche Meeresstiftung), Petros Michelidakis (Director boot Düsseldorf), Chris Promise Nwachuku, Peter Teye Busumprah, Hans-Peter Walpurgis (General Manager Cayago AG), Bernhard J. Stempfle (Managing Director Messe Düsseldorf), Wolfram N. Diener (CEO Messe Düsseldorf) 

He said: "ECOP AFRICA aspires towards a healthy ocean and seeks to dedicate efforts to projects that promote the repair and restoration of marine ecosystems. ECOP members from different African countries are working with local communities and diverse local and international stakeholders to develop strategies to scaleup nature-based solutions and sustainable aquaculture strategies to not only address climate change but also directly tackle poverty and food security issues. "ECOP AFRICA also uses indigenous knowledge about the oceans and applies it to climate change mitigation. Finally, the members are developing communication and literacy programmes on the sea to advance ocean literacy and mobilize the youth for responsible action required to overcome the Ocean Decade Challenges in African countries. 

Watch video: Early Career Ocean Professionals Africa awarded Ocean Tribute Award 

 

Related information

Dr Anthony B. Ndah

Early Career Ocean Professionals Africa