Lagos: The Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SEREC) has been confirmed as an official member of Ocean Centres Ghana, a multi-stakeholder collaboration platform established through a partnership between the UN Global Compact and Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The confirmation was conveyed in a letter signed by the Ocean Centres Country Lead, Nana Boakye-Boampong, on behalf of the UN Global Compact Network Ghana and the Ocean Centres’ Global and Local Teams.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SEREC) is a Nigerian organisation that promotes safety, sustainability, and efficiency in the maritime and blue economy sectors through research, advocacy, and policy engagement. Boakye-Boampong noted that SEREC’s membership in the platform would enable it to participate in efforts aimed at promoting safer and more sustainable ocean economies.
Boakye-Boampong outlined that these efforts would concentrate on four key action areas: Shipping and Ports, Fishing and Aquaculture, Offshore Renewables, and Finance and Investment. As a member of the centre, SEREC will have access to 10 targeted workshops, including eight in-country and two cross-country sessions, alongside opportunities to collaborate with national and international peers and experts.
He further explained that SEREC would benefit from access to a national network that facilitates the co-creation of innovative projects tailored to local priorities and sector needs. This includes spaces to engage with national and international peers, experts, and stakeholders, as well as guidance and tools to integrate safety and sustainability into their operations, enhancing their alignment with global best practices and appeal to responsible investors or sponsors.
In the coming months, Ocean Centres Ghana plans to organise a series of hybrid and online workshops. These workshops will enable members to share case studies, experiences, and solutions to safety and sustainability challenges in the ocean sector. Boakye-Boampong expressed confidence that SEREC’s participation would contribute to shaping ocean industries that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for the benefit of people, economies, and the planet.