An aspect of promoting EO data and tools utilization that is emphasized in this proposal is capacity building and institutional strengthening. A cadre of trained resource managers, technical staff, academics and researchers, with the adequate technical capacity to develop, implement and enforce policy and legislation is required if EO data and tools are to be effectively utilized.

To achieve this goal, short term face-to-face training-of-trainers’ workshops, targeted fellowships for university degree acquisition, and distance and online training are being organised be organised.

So far, the Regional Marine Centre has organised:

• Two (2) regional training workshops for the eight (8) partners and twelve (12) beneficiary countries; A total of 40 professionals were trained on generating EO products and services such as potential fishing zones maps, ocean state, coastal vulnerability and coastal habitat monitoring and communication.
• Two (2) fellowships (one Anglophone and one Franco[phone) were awarded to students to pursue a full-time academic programme in a recognised university in the region. Five (5) students are enrolled at University of Ghana whiles two (2) others are at University Felix Houphouet Boigny Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
• Two (2) online training sessions.

 It is expected that Partner academic institutions in the Consortium will include the training materials in their curricula.

In view of the fact that female participation in EO programmes is generally low, as revealed by the MESA project, efforts are being made to target a ratio of 1:5 of females-to-males for capacity building.