This article was originally published by Assane Deme, General Secretary of the Network of Journalists for Responsible and Sustainable Fisheries in West Africa (REJOPRAO), on the APS site http://www.aps.sn/articles.php?id_article=135397
The members of the Network of Journalists for Responsible and Sustainable Fisheries in West Africa (REJOPRAO) felt that African fisheries need, more than ever, visibility in a context where ‘acth November cess to fish resources’ related issues become more numerous. "In this context, information, awareness and communication take a particular importance", they said during their General Assembly, held on in Saly-Portudal (Senegal).
The delegates noted that an important work had been achieved by the network during the past three years: the REJOPRAO was able to be at the heart of major fisheries events, including the last two editions of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) as well as the annual celebrations of the World Fisheries Day. However, delegates acknowledged that this had not met the hopes that had prompted the creation of the network in 2006. In response to this, the members individually renewed their commitment, and a new board was elected. Coming from ten countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo. NB: journalists from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea were absent due to the Ebola crisis), delegates elected a new bureau of nine members, chaired by Burkina Faso journalist Inoussa Maiga, for a period of three years. He replaces his Mauritanian colleague Jedna Deida.
The tasks assigned to the new board include the improvement of the REJOPRAO internal and external communication, the reinforcement of the leadership and of members’involvment. The new team of the REJOPRAO also has assigned itself the task of promoting excellence in fisheries journalism, with the establishment of an award for the best journalist articles and documentaries on fisheries. To achieve its objectives, the REJOPRAO will count on the support of its partners, including the African Confederation of Professional Artisanal Fishing Organisations (CAOPA), the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements (CFFA), the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), etc.
The New Executive Board members want, during their term of office, to make the REJOPRAO ‘a reliable and credible structure with realistic ambitions for the benefit of the artisanal fishing communities’, in a spirit of constructive dialogue and consensus, as was the case throughout their General Assembly. "We are aware of the work that has been entrusted to us and of the heaviness of the tasks that await us. Without wasting time, we must work hard to be at the heart of African fisheries debates", stated Mr. Maïga, after his election. He invited the members of the network, once back in their respective countries, to play the role of Ambassador of the REJOPRAO with their local colleagues, and to help raise issues facing sustainable artisanal fisheries.
Composition of the new Executive Board of the REJOPRAO
President : Inoussa Maïga (Burkina Faso)
Vice-president : Joana Lopes (Cap-Vert)
General Secretary: Assane Dème (Sénégal)
Deputy General Secretary: Seckou Jammeh (The Gambia)
Treasurer: Adama Mbodji (Sénégal)
Deputy Treasurer : Nana Darko (Ghana)
Members :
Bégui Ogo (Côte d’Ivoire),
Sandrienne Boko (Bénin)
Babacar Guèye (Sénégal).