Accomplishments to Date GH2009PW001 508z. GH2009PW001 508z

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2. Accomplishments to Date

Administrative start-up. During the first ten weeks of the Program, various administrative start- up tasks were completed. This included the formal contracting of the three principle sub- contractors—i.e., SustainaMatrix, the World Fish Center, and the NGO Friends of the Nation FoN. Personnel contracts were also signed with the Chief of Party COP, Deputy Chief of Party DCOP, and the National Policy Coordinator. Several additional staff positions are needed and a rigorous recruitment process is underway to hire to these. The Program has: • drafted a manual for “Standard Operating Procedures” for administrative and financial operations • opened a bank account, with funds now available in-country • trained CRC personnel and FoN staff on URI’s administrative and financial procedures • identified and signed lease agreements for office locations in Accra and Sekondi and for COP lodging • initiated procurement of Program equipment Program progress to date . To date, activities have focused on consultations at various levels— within communities fishermen, chief fishermen, fish mongers and smokers; during two district level planning workshops, a national planning workshop, and through targeted working sessions with local and regional governments and institutions and traditional authorities. There were multiple purposes for the workshops and visits. One was to communicate to stakeholders the objectives of the Program. Another was to assess stakeholder understanding of the issues posed by fisheries and coastal zone management, and to seek stakeholder input that has now shaped this work plan. As a result of these communicationsconsultations, CRC and other Program partners have a better understanding of the issues, challenges, conflicts. There is also a greater understanding of issues that require further participatory analysis before the Program begins actions to address agreed upon priorities and enabling conditions for improved fisheries and coastal zone management. Communications of the ICFG Program . In the Western Region, the Program’s senior management team paid official visits to Regional authorities and District Assemblies, and also to the principle fishing communities. Several meetings were also held with traditional authorities. This included a half day workshop with the Chiefs from several of the six coastal districts. In Accra, there were official visits with officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture including the Deputy Minister for Fisheries, the Chairman of the Fisheries Commission, the Director of the Fisheries Directorate, and various heads of departments within this Directorate. In addition were meetings with representatives of the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization FAO and the Global Environment Facility GEF-funded Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Program. The Program was officially launched on November 16 th in Takoradi. It was well attended and included keynote remarks by the USAIDGhana Mission Director. National press attended the launch and shared news of the event and the ICFG Program through newspapers, national television and local radio stations. 11

3. Phase One Activities