AFRICAN MARITIME AND PORT WOMEN RECOMMEND THE POLLUTER-PAYS PRINCIPLE ALONG THE COASTS

Activités portuaires Friday 27 September 2024

Open on Tuesday 30 July 2024, the 2024 annual seminar coupled with the elective General Meeting of the Network of Women Maritime and Port Professionals of West and Central Africa (NWMPP- WCA) concluded its work on Thursday 01 August 2024.

The closing ceremony was presided over by Mr. NGUETTA KADJO, Adviser and representative of the Minister of Transport: Mr. Amadou KONÉ, who has on his side Mr. ACHI Assi Magloire Director of Control, Audit and Quality Management, representing Mr. Hien Yacouba SIÉ; Mr Jean Marie KOFFI, Secretary General of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA).

After three days of extensive exchange around the central theme: "Blue Economy and Climate Change; Challenges and Opportunities for the African Maritime and Port Women".

157 women from 18 member countries achieved the renewal of the Executive body and the adoption of several recommendations to the governing bodies.

 

Among other recommendations, the NWMPP-WCA strongly committed the rulers to move toward the “polluter-pays principle” along the West and Central Coast of Africa in order to preserve the lives of the populations.

Concerned about preserving the environment, the women of the industry invited the governments to commit to replenishing mangroves in water areas; banning the use of plastics, but also raising the awareness of fishmongers and training them in waste recycling. The Network also exhorted Port managers to fund, for women, training in the preservation of marine ecosystem.

Moreover, the Network recommended tree planting operations in all the ports under the slogan " One Woman, One tree". This action requires the support and assistance of all the Directors General.

Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of Abidjan Authority, Mr Magloire ACHY ASSI replied as follows:" I would like to reassure you that we will make all endeavours to implement these resolutions".

" Here we are at the end of this seminar dedicated to the place of women in blue economy, a key area for the future of our ports and our seas. During these three days full of discussions and discoveries, the women maritime and port professionals were able to explore together the challenges and opportunities facing them in this fast moving sector. The ideas and strategies that you have developed together, marked an important milestone toward a more just and sustainable economy. Keep on moving" Mr. N’GUETTA KADJO advised before declaring the seminar closed.

Note that before the said ceremony, the 5th General Meeting of NWHPP-WCA took place and saw the renewal of the governing bodies. Thus, the new Coordinator General is Mrs THADESS Magali Line Victoire, a Congolese from the Port of Pointe Noire, in replacement of the Ivorian Florentine KOUADIO GUIHARD, retired from Abidjan Port Authority.

Among the renewed positions, Côte d’Ivoire holds two of them, namely the position of Deputy Coordinator General assigned to Mrs Sita COULIBALY from the Port of Abidjan and the position of Communication and Information assigned to Dr Titi PALÉ, Commercial, Marketing and Communication Director of Abidjan Port Authority.