Tema, Ghana welcomes the Nansen to its harbor
- Tema, Ghana welcomes the Nansen with a special ceremony on 14 September.
Yesterday, for the second time in two years, the Nansen docked in Tema, Ghana.
Its visit yesterday took place against the backdrop of bright blue skies and colourful quayside banners in the red, yellow and green of the Ghanaian flag.
At the official ceremony, it was the President of the Republic of Ghana himself, Nana Akufo-Addo, who greeted the joint FAO-Norway research vessel on its arrival to Tema.
- At the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo of the Republic of Ghana thanked FAO, Norway and its Institute of Marine Research for their decades-long commitment to implementing projects that have contributed to the improvement of fisheries management.
- Invitation to the Port Call ceremony welcoming the Nansen.
President Akufo-Addo thanked FAO, Norway and its Institute of Marine Research for their decades-long commitment to implementing projects that have contributed to the improvement of fisheries management though the ecosystem approach.
Although he stressed how useful this collaboration has been to his country and region, he also pointed to new challenges Ghana and its neighbours faces in sustainably managing its marine resources.
He expressed optimism that the research findings of the new Dr Fridtjof Nansen Research Vessel will provide sufficient data to assist Ghana to develop policies that will ensure the management of fish and other stocks and enhance the knowledge on marine ecosystems.
Participants at the ceremony were able to tour the most advanced marine research vessel of its kind in the world. Although the Nansen vessel has twice graced Tema’s harbor, this was the first time for the newest Nansen vessel, which was just launched in Oslo this past March.
As you can see from our blog posts, this African journey is the maiden research voyage for the Nansen, which began on 8 May in Morocco and is working its way along the west African coast, with planned stop-overs in Pointe-Noire, Congo; Luanda, Angola, and Walvis Bay, Namibia before completing this western African research journey in Cape Town, South Africa in December.
The Nansen is welcoming new local scientists on board, and we will be meeting them virtually next week. Follow us virtually on our journey on the Nansen blog and through the hashtag #EAFNansen.
Anchors aweigh to the crew and scientist of the Nansen, and safe travels on this next leg of their journey.
- Speaking at the ceremony, Gunnar Andreas Holm, Norway’s Ambassador to Ghana stressed the significance of research and scientific data for efficient fisheries management, and the development of ecosystem approach to the sustainability of the marine resources.
- Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo spoke of his commitment to Ghana’s implementation of SDG 14.
- This newest Nansen vessel is still less than one-year-old, but she is an extremely well-traveled ship! Wishing her safe and fruitful onward voyages.
