In a decisive push to strengthen Africa’s leadership in marine science and environmental stewardship, the Coastal Ocean Environment Summer School in Nigeria and Ghana (COESSING) recently marked its 10th anniversary in Accra, emphasizing the critical role of African expertise in safeguarding the continent’s vast coastal and ocean ecosystems.
Professor Francis Gbogbo, Dean of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Ghana, highlighted the indispensable role of oceans — which cover over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface — in regulating climate, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining millions of livelihoods. Yet, he warned, these ecosystems face mounting threats from human activities and climate change, calling for urgent, locally driven action to protect them.
“This gathering is not merely a training program,” Professor Gbogbo remarked, “but a catalyst for collaboration and innovation within West Africa, equipping African scientists to lead global conversations on ocean health and environmental sustainability.”
COESSING, he said, serves as a platform for nurturing African talent, empowering scientists with the skills and networks to confront pressing challenges like climate change, coastal erosion, and marine pollution — issues particularly acute in Ghana and neighboring countries.
Echoing this, Professor Brian Arbic, COESSING Director, stressed the devastating impact of global warming and plastic pollution on oceans worldwide. He underscored the importance of regional expertise in shaping effective governmental policies and interventions.
Significantly, COESSING has now integrated into the “Ocean Margins Initiative” (OMI), a major research program poised to elevate marine science in West Africa. The initiative, with leadership from the University of Ghana, will provide researchers access to naval vessels and other critical resources, enhancing the capacity for advanced oceanographic studies.
Building on its success, COESSING is set to expand beyond West Africa, launching a sister ocean science school in East Africa this year, signaling a long-term commitment to growing the continent’s marine research footprint.
The program’s influence has also inspired participants beyond Anglophone Africa. A former Cameroonian attendee has initiated a similar ocean science school in a Francophone country, addressing language barriers and broadening marine science education across Africa.
Dr. Benjamin Botwe, Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, noted the school’s growing reach — annually engaging over 100 African scientists in thematic tracks ranging from Physical Oceanography to Marine Conservation and Plastic Pollution policy.
With the 2025 edition hosting 100 in-person participants and 60 instructors, COESSING continues to foster a new generation of African ocean scientists, driving home the message that sustainable stewardship of coastal and ocean ecosystems must be led from within the continent.
As Africa faces the dual pressures of climate change and environmental degradation, initiatives like COESSING represent a beacon of hope, cultivating homegrown solutions to protect the seas that are vital to the continent’s future.
