Workshop for NGOs in Western Region opens

Takoradi, June 17, GNA - A two-day capacity building workshop on project proposal development for members of the Western Regional Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (WERENGO) opened at Takoradi on Wednesday. The workshop, which is being attended by programme officers of NGOs, was sponsored by the Coastal Resources Centre. Speaking at the opening ceremony Mr. Donkris Mevuta, an executive member of WERENGO, said the workshop was to help sharpen the skills of the participants in project proposal development. He said NGOs needed to design projects to address social and ecological problems in the region which includes health and environmental problems, food security and climate change.

Mr. Mevuta said some NGOs are unable to develop attractive projects that could be supported by donor partners. Mr. Mark Fenn, Programme Director of the Coastal Resources Centre, said the centre was implementing an Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance (ICFG) Programmed in six coastal areas in the Region.

The areas are Shama, Ahanta West, Jomoro and Elembelle districts as well as Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and the Nzema East Municipality. Mr. Fenn said the goal of the ICFG Programme was to support the government to achieve its fisheries development objectives of poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and sustainable management.

He said the programmed also seeks to address over exploitation of fisheries resources and decline of fish stocks, conflicts between artisanal and industrial and semi industrial fleet and oil and gas companies.