3. Progress on Phase 1 Workplan Elements January – March 2010
3.1 Baseline of Coastal Ecosystem Conditions and Governance in the Western Region
Activities on baselining progressed with the collection of secondary information and documents on legislative framework and policies relevant to the ICFG Initiative – fisheries, climate change, biodiversity,
and coastal zone management, for reference material. Additional activities that are contributing to an in depth understanding of the key coastal and fisheries governance issues and are helping to establish
priorities for the subsequent phases of the project are described below.
3.1.1 Program Partners Training and Phase 1 Mid-Term Assessment
A three-day training session involving 24 participants and three resource persons was held at Busua, in the Ahanta West District, from February 1-3, 2009. The objective was to improve and build the capability
of participants to identify issues and to gather data for use in characterizing the communities in the six target districts. The training was also meant to develop a shared language and common understanding of
the issues and develop methods for the primary data collection. The training included modules in both the classroom and in the field modules for the participants, which included staff of the ICFG Initiative, FoN,
and other stakeholder groups—i.e., the Regional District Planning Officers, Fisheries Directorate, Environmental Protection Agency, Lecturers from the University of Ghana Legon and the University of
Cape Coast and a Traditional Chief from one of the target communities. Fifteen staff of FoN received additional training in primaryparticipatory data collection in coastal communities in preparation for the
actual field activity. As a result of these trainings, the Initiative now has an in-county team with demonstrated competencies in the fundamental concepts and tools of participatory coastal and fisheries
management. Further, the Initiative produced a training manual for ICFG staff and partners that includes common definitions for subjects and issues, shared methods, tools and frameworks for understanding
complex governance systems across the region and sharing lessons learned from across the globe.
3.1.2 Document and Analyze Responses to the Condition of Coastal Ecosystems
ICFG partner SustainaMetrix spearheaded The Review of Governance Responses to Key Issues. This effort produced a timeline of events dating back 50 plus years and that identify the state and pressures
that have contributed to changes in the coastal ecosystem and the responses by the governance system to that change. The team, led by SustainaMetrix, also crafted a detailed outline for what will be Ghana’s
first “State of the Coast” report.
3.1.3 Reviews of Governance Responses to Key Issues
Relative to 3.1.2 above, four case issues were identified for in-depth analysis: lessons learned from the community-based fisheries management committees; the premix fuel subsidies; control of illegal,
destructive, and non-sustainable fishing practices; and traditional beliefs and the sea. Terms of Reference for the examination of the cases have been developed and consultants from the University of Cape Coast
have been identified to prepare the reviews. Contracts for this work will be awarded in the second quarter of 2010.
3.1.4 Biodiversity Threats
Assessment
A team of four consultants with varying expertise in coastal management were identified and contracted to conduct a February-March 2010 desk review of biodiversity threats in the coastal districts of the
Western Region. The study is ongoing. A draft report was prepared, reviewed and comments for revisions provided. April is the expected date for completion of the report.
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3.1.4 Participatory Characterization of Coastal Communities and Environments
This activity is currently being implemented by FoN with support from CRC staff. Three groups, each with five personsresearchers and charged with covering two districts, are conducting a participatory
community characterization exercise targeting approximately 80 coastal communities. The characterization involves participatory community mapping, focus group discussions, key informant
interviews, and the collection of secondary data. The effort has been completed for three of the six districts and draft reports for these were prepared and reviewed.
3.1.5 Fisheries Sector Review
This activity is part of the scope of work of WFC. While a desk review was conducted, the bulk of the work remains to be undertaken during the peak fishing season from June to November of this year. Preliminary
reports will be prepared, however, by August 2010 in order to incorporate initial findings into the State of the Coast Report.
3.1.7 Assess Status of Critical Coastal Habitats
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