From 22-24 January, 2015, the WASCAL Competence Center in Ouagadougou held a workshop to discuss the set-up of a Regional Hydro-Climate Observation Network (ReHCONS) in West Africa for long-term climate data collection and analysis. Aside from representatives of WASCAL, the workshop was attended by the directors and representatives of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS), as well as those of universities and research institutions from the WASCAL member countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. WASCAL seeks to improve the quality of the information provided by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of the member countries by connecting regional partners in a hydro-meteorological data collection and infrastructure network process.

Approximately 80 experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, research institutions and universities of the WASCAL mandate region participated in the workshop. The workshop was opened by Dr. Laurent Sédogo, Executive Director of WASCAL, Dr. Dr. Dietrich Pohl, Ambassador of the German Embassy in Ouagadougou, and Prof. Filiga Michel Sawadogo, Minister of Secondary, Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Currently, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NHHS) face many challenges to maintain their data collection stations and to provide conclusive meteorological and hydrological data. The network density of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services is low in many West African countries and below standards recommended by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Frequent failures in equipment lead to gaps in the data records. The NMHS stated problems concerning data archiving, quality control and analysis including deficiencies in staff number (mostly affected by personnel retirement) and capacity building.

Dr. Laurent Sédogo, Executive Director of WASCAL, stressed the importance of working together in the effort to combat climate change: “It is only together that we can handle the issue of climate change. Not every single country has the scientific capacity, the human capacity, and the technical capacity to tackle climate change. For the northern countries climate change may be a scenario of the future, but we in West Africa, we already live the reality of climate change.” “WASCAL aims to assess, connect and enhance the existing national observation networks”, explains Dr. Boubacar Barry, director of the WASCAL Competence Center. “Such cooperation would benefit all participants.” WASCAL will provide the networks with a number of stations to fill the gaps in the network. Training of staff members will further contribute to a successful running of the stations. WASCAL’s data infrastructure will serve as a shared dissemination platform. Based on the data provided by the national services, WASCAL in return will be able to improve models, climate change scenarios and offer climate services to stakeholders in the West African region.

The workshop followed two regional workshops organized by WASCAL in August 2010 during which the directors and representatives of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services presented the history and the current situation of their respective organisations, on tasks, weaknesses and strengths as well as their expectations of how WASCAL can support and strengthen the West African observation networks on climate and water resources. “Following up with the results from the workshops in 2010, we established a timeline and agreed on a communique to outline the further steps towards the establishment of the Regional Hydro-Climate Observation Network. Another important result was the drafting of a joint Data Sharing Policy, which regulates the rights and regulations concerning data exchange” summarised Dr. Mouhamadou Bamba Sylla, Coordinator of the WASCAL Observation Networks.

Projektseite WASCAL

Commitment to the implementation of natural resources management policies in Africa will help in enhancing the contribution of natural resources to the continent’s
development.

This was one of the key messages in the closing remarks of the Director of the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), Dr. Elias T.Ayuk, at a book launch event organised by the Institute in Accra.

Dr. Ayuk observed that there is a continuum of six I’s (ideas, innovation, incentives, institutions,infrastructure and implementation), which need to be addressed to promote development in Africa.

Citing the agricultural sector as an example, he emphasised the need for innovative ideas and technologies in processing food crops for domestic consumption and exports. He, however, acknowledged that incentives would boost innovations, and appealed to African governments and other stakeholders to help promote productivity of the agricultural sector with adequate financial support that target small and medium-size enterprises.

Dr. Ayuk stressed the need for strong institutions and massive infrastructure development to promote the growth of many African countries.

“Africa really needs strong leadership and infrastructural improvement at all levels to accelerate growth. We need to enhance capacity at our institutions to improve efficiency and expand our market infrastructure to promote export,” Dr. Ayuk reiterated.

The books launched by the Institute at the event are entitled “Economic and Financial Analyses of Small and Medium Food Crop Agro-Processing Firms in Ghana” and Harnessing Land and Water Resources for Improved Food Security and Ecosystem Services in Africa”.

The first book “Economic and Financial Analyses of Small and Medium Food Crop Agro-Processing Firms in Ghana” reports on a research project that analysed agro-processing firms’ economic situations in Ghana.

Findings from the study revealed that the agro-processing subsector in Ghana is characterised by high informality with lack of business planning, poor financial records keeping and financial analysis, and absence of risks and performance monitoring. High interest rate of loans is also identified as one of the factors limiting the profitability of agro-processing firms.

One of the policy options explored in the book is the development of customised innovative and inclusive financial products and services to meet the specific needs of micro, small and medium food crops processing enterprises to improve their profitability. It also proposes increased awareness on quality control and standardization as well as capacity development as potential strategies to promote the growth of the agro-processing sub-sector.

The second book “Harnessing Land and Water Resources for Improved Food Security and Ecosystem Services in Africa” is a compilation of research papers that draw attention to the impact of human activities on land and water resources. Issues such as wastewater management, water pollution,land degradation, massive land acquisition, and climate change impact on food security were discussed in the book. Among the potential policy directions, the book calls for the provision of alternative livelihoods such as the promotion of aquaculture, recycling of agro-wastes for biofuel and soil amendment measures to halt land degradation and water pollution in Africa.

Commenting on the two books at the launch, the Director of Agri-business of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana, Mr. Nicholas Neequaye, called for more private sector partnerships to address issues of post-harvest losses, land degradation and water pollution in Africa. He said “we must admit that addressing these challenges properly calls for private sector partnership to complement Governments’ efforts”.

The production of these knowledge products, according to the UNU-INRA Director is to provide empirical evidence for policy makers and other stakeholders on the state of natural resources in Africa. This, he indicated, is in line with the Institute’s mandate to promote thsustainable use of natural resources in Africa, for development.

About UNU-INRA
UNU-INRA’s work centres on Africa’s two most important endowments — its human and natural resources. It aims at strengthening capacities at universities and other national institutions to conduct research and produce well-trained individuals with the ability to develop, adapt and disseminate
technologies that promote the sustainable use of the continent’s natural resources. UNU-INRA operates out of its main office at the University of Ghana campus. It has also established operating units (OUs) at the University of Cocody, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia, and Institute for
Food Technology (ITA) of the Ministry of Mines and Industry in Dakar, Senegal.

Photo from left to right: Prof. Emmanuel Owusu-Bennoah, Professor, College of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences,University of Ghana and member of UNU-INRA Advisory Board, Dr. Laurent Sedogo, Director, WASCAL, Mr. Nicholas Neequaye, Director of Agribusiness,(MoFA) and Dr. Elias. T. Ayuk, UNU-INRA Director.

Source:UNU-INRA.

LOCATION:
Togo

The WASCAL Master programme supports and facilitates academic instruction on the links between climate change and human security in West Africa. The program is hosted at the University of Lomé, in association with UNU-EHS as a counterpart institution to offer students an integrated learning environment. Students acquire the necessary skills to qualify them as disaster and risk management specialists on climatic risks based on relevant background knowledge in meteorology, geosciences, social sciences, health, economics, institutions, law and policy.

Upon completion of their study, students are expected to be able to:

Analyze, with scientific tools and methods, the threats and climatic risks societies or communities face;
Synthesize knowledge regarding integrated management strategies for climate change, specifically to improve human security;
Offer adaptation options, strategies and plans to deal with climate change at multiple scales;
Assist communities in dealing with climate change by implementing integrated adaptation and mitigation strategies.

UNU-EHS provides the scientific expertise in vulnerability and risk assessment frameworks and methodologies, along with insights into ongoing research activities and outcomes. Furthermore, UNU-EHS, together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Regional Office for West and Central Africa (UNOCHA ROWCA) and the Togolese Red Cross, train students in the use of geospatial technologies, such as Remote Sensing and GIS for applications in the area of disaster risk reduction and emergency response preparedness.

L’Université Abdou Moumouni de Niamey lance un programme de Master de deux ans sur les changements climatiques et énergie (MRP-CCE) à compter de l’année scolaire 2014-2015. Le programme offre une bourse complète aux candidats retenus. Les candidats potentiels sont invités à soumettre une demande pour la sélection.
Ce Programme de Master Recherche est ouvert aux meilleurs étudiants et ingénieurs avec une licence dans les disciplines scientifiques ou d’ingénierie avec au moins la Mention Assez-bien. Les candidats qui ont de fortes adptitudes en physique, chimie, génie civil, génie de l’environnement, génie électrique ou génie mécanique sont préférés.

Conditions d’admissibilité au programme:
• Etre un citoyen d’un des pays membres de WASCAL: Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambie, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria et Togo
• Envoyer une lettre de motivation
• Fournir des relevés de notes et des copies de diplômes
• Fournir des lettres de recommandation de trois références
• Fournir un curriculum vitae
• Les candidats francophones doivent avoir un niveau intermediaire en anglais
Date limite: 15 Aout 2014

Par Hervé Adou

Selon Laurent Sedogo, directeur exécutif du programme, les premiers diplômés des différentes écoles, situées à Bingerville, « seront opérationnels début 2015 ».

Il s’agit de 158 étudiants issus de six écoles doctorales et quatre autres de niveau master, après trois ans de formation. Changement climatique: Les membres du programme Wascal consolident leurs acquis

Par Hervé Adou

Selon Laurent Sedogo, directeur exécutif du programme, les premiers diplômés des différentes écoles, situées à Bingerville, « seront opérationnels début 2015 ».

Il s’agit de 158 étudiants issus de six écoles doctorales et quatre autres de niveau master, après trois ans de formation. Changement climatique: Les membres du programme Wascal consolident leurs acquis

WASCAL – das West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use ist ein gemeinsames Projekt von 10 westafrikanischen Staaten und deutschen Forschungseinrichtungen. Finanziert durch das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), wird das Projekt am Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF) der Universität Bonn ausgeführt, mit dem Ziel eine dauerhafte Forschungseinrichtung in Westafrika zu schaffen, die als regionales Klimaservicezentrum fungiert. Mit der Bestätigung durch sechs der zehn beteiligten westafrikanischen Partnerländer und der Westafrikanischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft ECOWAS, ist WASCAL nun offiziell als regionale internationale Organisation gegründet worden.
Nachhaltige Strukturen schaffen – Klimakompetenz in Westafrika langfristig steigern

Basierend auf klimarelevanten Forschungsergebnissen sollen die westafrikanischen Länder in die Lage versetzt werden, Entscheidungen für eine nachhaltige Land- und Wassernutzung treffen zu können. „Forschungsprojekte sind in der Regel auf einen befristeten Zeitraum angelegt. Das bedeutet aber, dass mit dem Ende des Projektes auch die Wissenschaftler, und damit die Ergebnisse und die Infrastruktur, das Forschungsgebiet wieder verlassen. Mit der Etablierung von WASCAL als regionale internationale Organisation soll sichergestellt werden, dass sowohl Forschungsergebnisse als auch Forschungsinfrastrukturen langfristig in Westafrika zugänglich und nutzbar sind“, erklärt Professor Dr. Paul Vlek, Direktor von WASCAL und des Zentrums für Entwicklungsforschung in Bonn. Dies bedeutet aber auch, dass sich die Partnerländer ab 2013 mit steigenden Anteilen an der Finanzierung von WASCAL beteiligten werden. „In Zukunft wird WASCAL als Klimazentrum eine gemeinsame Ressource für die westafrikanischen Staaten sein, finanziert durch die beteiligten Länder und internationale Geldgeber“, erläutert Vlek weiter.

Daten, Experten und technische Infrastruktur für Westafrika

Der Klimawandel stellt für Westafrika eine Herausforderung dar. Obwohl Afrika der Kontinent mit den geringsten Schadstoffemissionen ist, wird er voraussichtlich von den Folgen des Klimawandels besonders stark betroffen sein. Bislang fehlen in Westafrika nicht nur umfassende Daten zum Klimawandel, sondern auch die technische Infrastruktur und Experten, um die Daten auszuwerten und Schlüsse daraus zu ziehen. Daher setzt WASCAL auf drei Komponenten: In zehn Graduiertenschulen an Universitäten der Partnerländer werden Masterstudenten und Doktoranden ausgebildet. In einem interdisziplinären Forschungsprogramm untersuchen deutsche und westafrikanische Forscher Fragen zur Land- und Wassernutzung in Verbindung mit Ökosystemleistungen und der Ernährungssicherung in Westafrika. Ein Kompetenzzentrum in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, bündelt die Forschungsarbeiten und berät Politiker, Vertreter aus der Wirtschaft und die Bevölkerung.

Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Niger und Togo haben WASCAL bestätigt

Die Initiative zur Gründung von WASCAL ging vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) gemeinsam mit den Ministerien und Regierungen der zehn beteiligten westafrikanischen Staaten aus. Neben den Staaten Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Niger und Togo, die ihre offizielle Anerkennung bereits mitgeteilt haben, sind Elfenbeinküste, Mali, Nigeria und Senegal an WASCAL beteiligt. 2010 begann die gemeinsame Planungsphase, 2012 die Umsetzungsphase. WASCAL wird vom BMBF bis 2016 mit insgesamt 50 Millionen Euro gefördert. Neben den westafrikanischen Partnern sind Forschungseinrichtungen aus ganz Deutschland beteiligt. Die Koordination der Deutschen Partner liegt beim Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF) der Universität Bonn.
Kontakt:
Jelana Vajen
Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF) der Universität Bonn
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit WASCAL
Tel.: 0228-73-4949
press@wascal.org

Weitere Informationen unter: www.wascal.org

Le Centre scientifique de service ouest africain sur le changement climatique et l’utilisation adaptée des terres (WASCAL), a été officiellement lancé vendredi à Lomé par le Premier ministre, Gilbert Houngbo.

Il avait à ses côtés le secrétaire d’Etat allemand à l’Enseignement et à la Recherche, Georg Shütte, le ministre togolais de la Recherche, François Galley, et 9 de ses collègues d’Afrique de l’Ouest.

Cette nouvelle structure est financée par l’Allemagne ; elle proposera des formations de haut niveau dans l’ensemble des universités de la région.

Au Togo, les étudiants pourront suivre dès cette année la filière master et doctorat en «Sécurité humaine et changement climatique ».

Georg Shütte a indiqué que cette coopération entre les 10 Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, membres du programme et l’Allemagne, était de nature à faciliter le transfert d’expérience sur les questions de changements climatiques.

Les 10 Etats partenaires de ce programme sont : Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambie, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Sénégal et Togo.

Dix pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et l’Allemagne finalisent à Lomé le projet WASCAL de Centre ouest- africain de recherches et de services scientifiques sur les changements climatiques et l’utilisation adaptée des terres, a constaté jeudi l’agence Xinhua

Des enseignants chercheurs des pays englobés par le projet ont entamé mercredi une réunion de trois jours au terme de laquelle le document de création du centre de recherche sera parachevé et suivi de la signature de l’accord de sa mise en application.

Le projet lancé en 2010 est conçu pour répondre au défi du changement et de la variabilité croissante du climat et accroître la résilience des systèmes humains et environnementaux. Il bénéficie de l’expertise des institutions allemandes et est présenté comme une « nouvelle dynamique » de recherches scientifiques en Afrique de l’Ouest sur la compréhension et la connaissance des facteurs à l’origine des changements climatiques, l’évaluation de leurs impacts sur le secteur agricole, la gestion de l’eau, et aussi sur la problématique de la sauvegarde des terres.

Il inclut un programme régional de formation en Doctorat et Master en matière de changements climatiques. Il s’agit de sept programmes de formation universitaire de haut niveau pour aider à l’émergence d’une nouvelle génération de chercheurs de décideurs politiques africains dans le domaine du changement climatique et de la gestion des terres.

L’Allemagne est le seul pays partenaire de ce projet auquel elle consacre, d’ici 2015, un financement de 50 millions d’euros.

Les pays comme le Bénin, le Burkina Faso, la Côte d’Ivoire, la Gambie, le Ghana, le Mali, le Niger, le Nigeria, le Sénégal et le Togo sont concernés par le projet WASCAL de Centre ouest- africain de recherches et de services scientifiques sur les changements climatiques et l’utilisation adaptée des terres.

Source: xinhua