Accra: Ghana has embarked on a new venture to enhance its biodiversity monitoring systems through the launch of the National Monitoring Support Initiative (NMSI) Project. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving Conservation Alliance Ghana, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), and the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).
According to Ghana News Agency, the NMSI Project, which will run from 2025 to 2030, is designed to bolster Ghana's capacity to monitor and report on its biodiversity commitments as outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The project is financially supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
The initiative aims to strengthen national systems by evaluating Ghana's current biodiversity monitoring infrastructure and identifying deficiencies in data, tools, and coordination. A National Biodiversity Monitoring Plan will be developed, technical capacity across institutions will be enhanced, and a national biodiversity data platform linked to global systems will be established.
During the launch, Madam Suweibatu Adam, Chief Director of MEST, emphasized the need for accurate biodiversity data to protect Ghana's ecosystems, which face threats from human activities, climate change, and land-use changes. She highlighted that the initiative would facilitate evidence-based policymaking and improve conservation planning, aligning with Ghana's obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
Madam Suweibatu stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach involving public institutions, academia, civil society organisations, local communities, and development partners to build a sustainable biodiversity information system. She urged stakeholders to actively participate in the initiative, emphasizing that collaboration and expertise are vital for its success.
Dr. Yaw Osei-Owusu, Executive Director of Conservation Alliance, expressed optimism that Ghana would establish significantly improved systems for tracking biodiversity targets by 2030. He highlighted the roles of institutions such as MEST, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Forestry Commission, as well as academia and development partners, in the project's implementation. Dr. Osei-Owusu underscored the importance of aligning national priorities with global standards under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
In conclusion, Dr. Osei-Owusu outlined immediate priorities, including conducting a national capacity assessment and developing a comprehensive monitoring plan by the end of the year to guide future actions. He expressed confidence that the ministry would have a robust biodiversity monitoring system by the end of the implementation phase, supporting the country's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.