The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo exchanging the MoU with Ms. Bjorg Sandkjaer, State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The University of Ghana and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the University of Ghana School of Law Ocean Governance and Development Project.
In brief remarks during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, under the watch of a Legal Officer, Mrs. Lawrencia Bertha Tsotsoo Ghansah, signed on behalf of the University of Ghana. The Vice-Chancellor expressed delight over the two entities coming together to collaborate on a project. She stated that the project has a real potential to transform lives and provide a pathway to how Ghana could meet its sustainable blue economy aspirations.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo and the Director General of Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), M. Bård Vegar Soihjell signing the MoU
Prof. Amfo indicated that the project would provide a unique opportunity to create better synergies for multidisciplinary ocean related initiatives in Ghana. “It also will provide the platform to reflect on how we can move forward towards an enhanced inter-agency coordination and cooperation on ocean and coastal issues in Ghana and the sub-region”, she added. She further indicated certainty on the benefits the Government of Ghana would derive from the project, in relation to government’s demonstration of interest in prioritising the ocean. Prof. Amfo gave assurance of the University’s commitment to making the project a success. “For our colleagues from Norway, I would like to assure you that this project has the highest support within the University. I am personally committed to it and we are ready to provide all the support that will make this project a success”, she stated.
Prof. Amfo expressed a shared optimism in the ambition of the School of Law to move the ocean partnership from a project to a programme and to a fully-fledged and multidisciplinary Center for Ocean Governance in Ghana.
Ms. Bjorg Sandkjaer, State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed excitement in the partnership that had been created between Ghana and Norway through the University of Ghana and the Arctic University in Norway. She explained the role international cooperation plays in managing, protecting and using the ocean’s resources sustainably and noted that the signing of the MOU was an excellent example in that regard. Ms. Bjorg also stressed the need for sustainable ocean management in order to ensure sustainable harvest and food production as well as employment for generations to come. “Experience shows that it is possible to harvest the sea’s resource without reducing their value”, she added.
The Director General of Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) M. Bård Vegar Soihjell who signed on behalf of NORAD, in a brief address, noted the essence of the agreement signed. He encouraged the need to build competence in knowledge for ocean governance in different places.
Prof. Raymond Atuguba, Dean, School of Law, earlier welcomed the Norwegian delegation and expressed his hope in the growth of the project under the leadership of Prof. Amfo.
Prof. Amfo presented a gift of appreciation to the Norwegian delegation, after which group pictures were taken.
University Officials present with NORAD delegation after the MoU
The ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development; Prof. Daniel Ofori, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs and Provost, College of Humanities; Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar; Prof. Boateng Onwona Agyemang, Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences; Prof Augustine Ocloo, Dean, School of Biological Sciences; Prof. Francis Nunoo, Head of Department, Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences.
The Norwegian delegation included Her Excellency Ms. Ingrid Mollestad, Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana; Ms. Gunnhild Eriksen, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Elisabeth Schwabe-Hansen, Deputy Director, Section for Horn of Africa and West Africa; Huyen Tran Titti Ho Brekken, Senior Adviser, NORAD; Anders Markus Aabo, Senior Adviser, NORAD; Jorun Nossum, Assistant Director, Section for Knowledge Programs; Martha Haukaas, Director, Department for Communication, NORAD; Elisabeth Amb Onsum, Editor-in-Chief, Bistandsakuelt; Espen Røst, Journalist, Bistandsakuelt; Kyrre Holm, Deputy Head of Mission; Robert Hovde, Counsellor, Commercial Affairs; Victoria Sundvor, Second Secretary, Political Adviser and Mia Kamarainen, Adviser.
