30 information exchange and providing training and educational programs to targeted individuals—
assisting them in engaging the oil and gas industry to seek transparency and “win-win” scenarios. To this end, the ICFG Program will train members of WERENGO in strategies for
engaging the oil and gas industry, in advocacy, and in how to serve as an honest broker relative to communication and conflict mediation with local communities. The Program also envisions
sending three to four key decision makers from the region from both the government and traditional governance structures on a study trip to the Gulf Coast of the United States, and
possibly one other country, to observe “best practices” and to learn about engaging the oil and gas sector. Finally, the Program will make contacts with the oil and gas companies present in the
Western Region in order to: 1 share information about the Program; 2 express the Program team’s willingness to facilitate dialogue with regional stakeholders; and 3 to provide an
orientation on how to best implement the required mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental and Social Impact Studies and as part of their planned corporate social
responsibility investments. Timeline of Tasks
Task Q2
Q3 Q4
3.3.1 Tourism Workshop with tourism alliance and action plan
January Training program for tourism operators on “best
practices” for coastal and beach tourism infrastructures
May
Identification of fish processing and trading companies implication in value chain study
February 3.3.2 Oil and Gas
Presentations to oil and gas sector companies February
Study trip for key decision makers and other influential individuals
March Contact made at all levels local, national,
international with oil and gas actors present in the Western Region
January
Post-study tour training of WERENGO and other stakeholders study tour participants
April
Outputs • Reports from the two training sessions that include follow-up recommendations
• A strategic plan for engaging the private sector in the ICFG Program for Years 2 to 4
3.4 Initial Communications Program
Background A well targeted information, education and communication IEC strategy shall be applied to
facilitate the adoption of the desired knowledge, attitudes and practices required for the sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. This is especially needed for fisheries actors that
31 lack adequate knowledge, will, and motivation on co-management of fisheries resources. The
communications strategy shall also specifically target key stakeholders to win their collaboration and commitment for successful implementation of the ICFG program. Therefore, this strategy
would facilitate information flow among fishery sector stakeholders as well as encourage wise use of the fisheries resources guided by ecosystem-based management.
The communication strategy will be developed towards the end of Phase 1 and draw heavily from the State of the Coast Report to identify key messages. Communications activities will use
of local radio programs, communicative bill boards and posters, news papers, and communicative T-shirts. Activities will also inculcate media capacity building events to build the
capacity of pressmen to promote dialogues for the desired behavioral changes required. Specific Stakeholder Targets
The communications strategy would target: • Fishers artisanal fishers; industrial and semi-industrial fishers; fishing input marketers and
importers; fisher mongersprocessers; and coastal communities. The communication to this group would be geared towards encouraging wise use of resources as well as promoting
participatory management of the fisheries resource.
• Policy Makers, Fisheries Regulators, Coastal District Assemblies and Traditional Leaders
to promote pro-poor policy development and participatory governance of the sector. The communication would be geared towards re-orientating and building the capacity of
these duty bearers to encourage them to respond favorably to demands for change. It would also encourage social accountability and promote responsible and efficient regulation of the
sector—where these duty bearers would understand their role and be proactive and committed to discharging their duties for sustainable management of the sector. The
communication would encourage co-management through effective community participation as well as promote dialogue among the various stakeholder institutions to strengthen the
enforcement of the fisheries laws.
• Civil Society Organizations CSOs and the Media; the communication strategy for this
group would seek to build their capacity to appreciate ICFG Program vision, goals, and objectives and its basis in an ecosystem-based approach for integrated coastal zone
management. It would also encourage joint action and would promote desired behavioral changes on the part of both resource users and managers. In addition, it would build their
capacity to access the Program’s small grants to pilot local projects in support of the action.
Objectives • Create awareness of the ICFG Program and educate stakeholders about the Program
vision, goals, activities and strategies • Contribute to behavioral change among fisheries actors
• Sensitize and create awareness on key issues such as the importance of wetlands, climate change and contributing factors to fish stock depletion
32
Activities The communications and advocacy element of the ICFG Program will use innovative strategies
that aim at advancing citizens’ empowerment and community participation; that builds communal networks; and that provides district and regional platforms for national level advocacy
in the fisheries sector. This would be achieved through; Radio and Television programs
• Radio and TV talk shows shall be organized on local stations, especially on Tuesdays. The panel for the talk shows shall include local fishermen and other stakeholders to
discuss sustainable management of the sector. • Drama developed in local languages will be aired on various local radio stations and used
to carry messages that promote behavioral change. Community discussion groups would be formed to promote discussions and dialogue around the topic of these dramas.
• Local language jingles will be developed to send simple messages for behavioral change to resource users and managers. The jingles will be changed periodically to vary the
messages. Communicative bill boards, posters, T-shirts and information brochures
• Design and implement a contest for a ICFG Program slogan • Design and produce at messages for behavioral change to be posted on at least four
billboards: at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Takoradi; at Agona Nkwanta Circle, Axim Junction, and at Half Assini Junction. Messages will be changed periodically to vary the
messages. Posters designed with diagrams and cartoons would also be produced and pasted in fishing communities to convey behavior change messages to community actors.
• T-shirts and informational brochures with the ICFG Program vision and goals will also be designed, printed and distributed to the various actors
Media Engagements • Workshops will be conducted with the goal of building journalists’ capacity to join in
actions to promote sustainable fisheries management. By providing them with important information about fisheries issues and building their understanding of the importance of
the sector and the ecosystem system-based management approach, the goal is to increase their interest and commitment to the issues and the role that the ICFG Program can play
in helping address pressing fisheries issues.
• Newspaper publications and press conferences will be organized to target policy makers and regulators as well as fisheries actors, with the purpose of sharing information and
sensitizing these individuals to the need for change. Newspapers would also share research findings along with the ICFG Program vision, goals and objectives. Collectively
these steps are intended to promote stakeholder collaboration.
Timeline of Tasks
Task Q2 Q3
Q4
Conduct contest for ICFG Program slogan Feb
Secure spot on radio programs April-June July-Aug
Design and produce communicative May
33
Task Q2 Q3
Q4
billboards, posters, T-shirts, etc Conduct capacity building workshop for
journalists July
Secure coverage in newspapers May
Produce newsletter Sept
Hold press conferences Aug
Outputs • An IEC strategy and action plan for the Program
• Media capacities developed to support the Program • Documented community discussions on sustainable fisheries management
• 10 radio talk shows, 4 radio theatre productions, and 4 thematic radio documentaries • A minimum of 4 press releases and one press conference
3.5 Institutional Capabilities
