Dr. Stuart Wainwright (left) and Dr. John Kissi (right) signing the MoU. Pix: Nii Adjei Mensahfio
THE GHANA Hydrological Authority (GHA) has commenced a working partnership with the United Kingdom Center for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Accra.
The partnership programme forms part of measures by the GHA to mitigate the country’s hydrological hazards, chief among them being flooding; as well as managing the country’s water resources.
The MoU outlines several critical areas for both agencies, including catchment monitoring and observation systems,which would see to the development and enhancement of systems for monitoring and observing catchment areas, ensuring better data collection and analysis.
Other areas covered by the MoU also include joint organization of workshops, seminars, and regional/international conferences to increase information sharing and capacity building among others.
Remarks
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GHA, Dr. John Kissi, stated that the MoU symbolised the shared commitment of both agencies to enhancing hydrological services in the country through collaborative efforts and mutual expertise.
“For the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the collaboration will enhance our technical expertise, strengthen our institutional capacity, and provide access to cutting-edge research and innovative solutions.
On behalf of UKCEH, Dr. Stuart Wainwright, acknowledged that floods and droughts are phenomena that both nations experience a lot and that there is therefore the need for both nations to deal with once and for all.
“Whether we’re trying to understand the effects of climate change and how to better prepare for the future, or whether we’re getting ready for a flood or a drought that is about to happen, science, data and technical services are right at the heart of all of that.
“So this MoU, I know, will help both our organisations take our partnership to a whole different level. We’ll both be able to learn from each other, pool our capabilities, and ultimately improve the lives of people in Ghana and the UK, and I’m sure around the world as well”, h intimated.
Dr. Wainwright also used the opportunity to announce the opening of the UKCEH’s first international office in Africa, saying: “This is a big deal for us, because this is our first and currently only office outside of the UK; and it’s not by chance that it is in Accra.”
BY Nii Adjei Mensahfio