Dr. Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, principal investigator of Ghanaian wildlife conservation project, will serve key role in support of Convention on Biological Diversity.
At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity to maintain the ecological integrity of the world's ecosystems. Ten years later, articles of the convention are being vigorously implemented. Earthwatch principal investigator Dr. Alfred Oteng-Yeboah has been elected as president of the Convention's scientific advisory body, testimony to the global prominence of Earthwatch scientists.
At the last meeting in Montreal, Oteng-Yeboah was named as president-elect of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for their 9th and 10th meetings. Oteng-Yeboah, a widely respected botanist from the University of Ghana and principal investigator of Earthwatch's Wildlife Conservation in West Africa project, represents Ghana at the CBD.
"Being a scientist with proven record of contribution to science and its policy, in particular in developing countries, my contribution to the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) over the years has been proactive," said Oteng-Yeboah. "As president of the SBSTTA, my role will be to ensure that leadership is provided at the level of the meetings to give timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention."
The three objectives of the CBD are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Subsidiary Body provides assessments both of the status of biological diversity and of measures taken in accordance with CBD provisions.
Oteng-Yeboah's work with the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary in northwestern Ghana, site of Wildlife Conservation in West Africa, is just one example of his commitment to conservation at all levels.
"Alfred is unflappable and keeps an even keel through the ups and downs of weather and field work," said Dr. Paul Beier, an ornithologist from Northern Arizona University and another principal investigator for Wildlife Conservation in West Africa. "Despite his calm demeanor, he cares deeply about conservation, and he is passionate in advising the locals not to overexploit plant and animal resources in the sanctuary."
The Ghana Tourist Board recently awarded the local leadership with the "Community Initiative of the Year Award" for the pioneering Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary, conceived of and managed by the local Wala, Daga, and Lobi people of the region.
"The work at Wechiau is a small part of the whole CBD process from the global perspective," said Oteng-Yeboah, "but a big breakthrough involving grass roots local participation and identification of urgent issues involved in conservation and sustainable use. It is considered a worthy contribution at the local level towards the realization of the CBD objectives at the national level."
For information on volunteering on the Wildlife Conservation in West Africa project, click here
Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.