Ghana's Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Receives Support from MARENDA Project.
About 32 participants drawn from stakeholders in Ghana's oil spill contingency planning organisation are going through an eight day training in oil spill response and contingency planning through the support of the MARENDA Project. The MARENDA project is being implemented within an ambitious programme funded by the European Union and awarded by the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. The programme aims to support the maritime transport sector in west and central Africa, as this is pointed out as a key driver for the socio-economic development in African countries by the EU and African partnership.
The Project started in March 2014, will end by December 2016 and has two key objectives: improving port maritime data Exchange in the region 2) improving emergency response mechanisms to reduce marine environmental pollution by ships. The Project scope includes Western and Central African countries, but due to limitations in time and resources, five countries and associated ports have been selected to develop key Project activities although key outcomes and recommendations will to be transferred to other countries in the region,.
In order to fulfill these objectives, once an assessment phase involving desktop studies and field missions have been developed to identify current capabilities, gaps and needs regarding the two objectives in the five priority countries, we will develop technical assistance, provide IT tools in selected ports and develop a capacity building programme including Workshops, training courses and training on the job.
MARENDA is built up by a partnership of five organizations: CETMAR, GMV and Teirlog, with a lot of experience in the field of maritime pollution and IT technologies, and two universities: The University of las Palmas (Cannary Islands) and the Word Maritime University, MARENDA is strongly supported by a team of experts on maritime safety, IT technologies and maritime data exchange.
This training on the Job called “Oil spill response and Contingency Planning” (15-24 February 2016) is framed in MARENDA Capacity Building Programme and has been organized in close collaboration with EPA.
Key objectives:
Enhance knowledge on selected aspects of oil spill response and contingency planning among key organisations involved in preparedness and response to oil spills.
Foster and improve collaboration between stakeholders on contingency planning
Participants:
Officials from EPA, Ghana Maritime Authority, Ghana Ports & Habours Authority, Petroleum Commission, MESTI, Ghana Navy, GNPC, Regional Maritime University and Oil industry.
Two parts:
- Thematic training (15-19 February)
- Exercise (22-24 February)
Format for thematic training
Presentation of the topics & Workshops
Trainers: Richard Hill (OCT), Thommas Liebert (IOPC Funds) supported by Dramane Cissokho and Marisa Fernandez (from MARENDA team)
