Study Tour to the Philippines on Marine and Coastal Management

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1.1.5 Study Tour to the Philippines on Marine and Coastal Management

This activity was planned to allow selected stakeholders in the Western Region to d raw lessons, both positive and negative, from coastal management practices of similar institutions in other countries. Table 5 outlines the planned outputs and accomplishments. Planned Outputs Accomplishment Ten 10 ICM leaders trained Eight 8 leaders drawn from various institutions – government, district assembly, traditional authority, private sector and civil society participated in a 10 day study tour. Trip report and presentation on observations, lessons and implications for options for regional coastal commission and District-level integrated coastal and fisheries governance Trip report ‘Coastal and Fisheries Management: the Philippines Experience’ has been prepared. Participants have been using the experience and knowledge to develop initiatives in the region and districts see narrative below. Table 5: Study tour to the Philippines on marine and coastal management The PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. PFPI, in collaboration with CRC-URI coordinated a study tour meant to show examples and share lessons regarding the Philippine experience on institutional arrangements, cross sectoral and inter-agency coordination as well as roles and challenges with respect to: • decentralization of coastal and fisheries planning and management including law enforcement functions – from the national to the local level • inter-local government unit LGU agreements in law enforcement and establishment management of Marine Protected Area MPA networks Observations by the participants included identification of key factors that contribute to the success of coastal and fisheries management in the Philippines which include among others: • people’s participation and ownership of plansprograms • independence of mayors and governors from central government in making coastal fisheries management decisions Eight senior level Ghanaians see Annex F participated in the tour from May 12 to 20, 2012. 12 Figure 5 Some activities and observations of the Philippines study tour participants Clockwise Study tour participants visiting an MPA in Philippines; Group photo with local Fish Wardens Bantay Dagat who provide security for the MPA; A local government ordinance which bans the use of plastics in the district of Bacoor; An interaction with the Mayor of Bacoor President of the League of Mayors in the Philippines An action plan was drawn to use the lessons learned as advocacy tool for reform in coastal and marine governance in Ghana. Study tour participants made presentations and had discussions with district and national level audiences on lessons learned from the tour. In the Ahanta West District, through the advocacy of the District Coordinating Director a tour participant a process was begun to establish a coastal and fisheries council with membership selected from across institutions within and outside the District Assembly.

1.1.6 Strengthening the Center for Coastal Management at University of Cape Coast