1.Background

Establishment of WACA Japan Knowledge Network

To mobilize global expertise for local solutions in Coastal Management, WACA Program developed the WACA Global Hub approach, establishing knowledge networks in France, Japan, the Netherlands, and Nordic countries.

In September 2021, WACA Japan Knowledge Network was established as one of WACA knowledge hubs. Since its establishment, Infrastructure Development Institute – Japan (IDI) works as its interim coordinator.

Memorandum of agreement between IDI and ACECoR

On May 9, 2022, IDI and the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, executed a memorandum of agreement (MoA). Under the MoA, IDI and ACECoR have been collaborating to make experiences, knowledge and technologies in coastal erosion, flood and sediment management available to West Africa countries through knowledge exchange, research studies, training programme, expert dispatch, short courses and academic cooperation between Japanese relevant organizations and ACECoR. [Link to IDI’s website on the MoA Ceremony]
In addressing coastal erosion and other coastal issues, it is essential to take an integrated approach from the river to the coast. For example, if coastal erosion is caused by a decrease in sediment supply to downstream rivers and coastal areas due to sediment deposition at dams upstream of rivers, it will be difficult to introduce effective and long-term sustainable solutions without taking measures not only for the coastal areas but also for upstream of the dams.
Japan, as an island nation with 75% of its land covered by mountains, has rich experience in integrated sediment management covering from mountains to rivers and coasts. Therefore, WACA Japan Knowledge Network has set “Integrated Sediment Management” as its main theme and is seeking collaboration with West Africa.

Workshop on Integrated Sediment Management

On May 26, 2022, “Online Workshop on Integrated Sediment Management in WACA Countries” was organized by the World Bank (WB), ACECoR, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), and IDI. The workshop was attended by 80 participants from government organizations, river basin organizations, facility administrators, and knowledge institutes from WACA countries. [Link to IDI’s website on the Workshop]

2.Technical Mission to Ghana

From October 22 to November 1, 2022, a technical mission comprised by members of WACA Japan Knowledge Network visited Ghana to deepen cooperation between ACECoR and Japan in terms of integrated sediment management. Mission members are: Hisashi Mitsuhashi, Director, Department of Water Resources & Disaster Prevention Research, IDI; Yoshimitsu Tajima, Professor, Coastal Engineering Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo; Daiki Tsujio, General Manager, Global Company, Pacific Consultants; and Toshihiko Kumagai, Technical Manager, Land Infrastructure Division, Pacific Consultants. Kenichiro Tachi, Senior Environmental Engineer, WB, also joined the mission to support coordination with the Government of Ghana, ACECoR, WACA Japan Knowledge Network, and WB.

The mission and the ACECoR team jointly visited Korle Lagoon, Volta River estuary, Densu Delta, and Anlo Beach, which are facing coastal problems such as coastal erosion and floods. At Anlo Beach, they conducted a joint coastal topographic survey.

After above site visit, at ACECoR, they shared their findings and discussed sustainable countermeasures for coastal problems. Prof. Tajima gave a lecture on current analysis and future prospect for coastal erosion at each site from perspective of coastal engineering. For example, sediment dynamics in the Volta River estuary are so complex that it is necessary to consider measures from perspective of a wide area from the Volta River mouth to Keta. In considering countermeasures, we should observe, measure, and acquire basic information to understand sediment dynamics mechanism at the mouth of the Volta River, and then develop a coastal protection plan that includes integrated sediment management. Through these activities, the mission and the ACECoR team reached a common understanding of the situation and issues of sediment dynamics at each site. ［Link to the movie of Prof. Tajima’s lecture］
On October 31, 2022, the mission debriefed ACECoR Prof. Aheto. The mission presented him their findings and recommendations at each site. The mission also proposed future collaboration on integrated sediment management, which was endorsed overall by Prof. Aheto.