What exactly is ECOP AFRICA?
ECOP Africa is a Network of young African ocean professionals contributing to ocean conservation and generating innovative ideas to support the science we want during and beyond the UN Decade of Ocean Science. I am just one person among many young innovators that self identified as ECOP in Africa. ECOP is a platform, a network and not an organisation.
What does the project mean to you personally? What is your motivation?
As the founder of Ocean Rock, an NGO based in Ghana for supporting ocean climate innovations primarily among early career ocean professionals in Africa, the project I submitted for an award in Dusseldorf means a lot to me.
1. The project demonstrates the potential of identifying ocean based challenges that we encounter on daily basis in Africa
2. That the solutions to these challenges reside in Africa , primarily as ideas that needed turned into innovations
3. Personally, my motivation for the project is that basic scientific innovations such as developing multifunctional applications can help map these challenges and collectively generate data effectively providing restorations that restore ocean health, mitigate climate change , enhance coping capacity and support coastal livelihoods in harmony with nature.
4. Overall, the project means that I can help to restore degraded ecosystems and support capacity building for the new generation of ocean start-ups and innovators.
What has the ‘ocean tribute’ award changed for the project?
The ‘ocean tribute’ award has provided seed funding to commerce the operationalization of our project.
Among others, we have money to set up the ocean climate innovations hub, a living hub where our project task team will operate from.
I am able to provide rent for four months and take delivery of basic office equipment such as laptops and furniture. The award equally supports my tasks team with basic stipend for internet and transportation.
I am also able to carry out four pilot activities including fish mapping, mangrove and seagrass carbon project and extensive ocean literacy.
How will the prize money of the ‘ocean tribute’ award be used?
The prize money will be used for the implementation of the project including
- Complete development of the Multifunctional Ocean Climate Innovation Applications
- Workshop for the stakeholders, local fishermen and official hub launch
- Mangroves restoration and crustaceans cultivation
- Aquaculture farming including Inland aquaculture and mariculture (seaweed farming)
- Plastics pollution removal
- Ocean animations and games
What kind of experience was the blue motion night at boot 2024 for you?
The blue motion night was a once in a lifetime experience that gave me an opportunity to connect with the right people who also have the same passion as me to conserve and protect the marine ecosystem.
