Denis W. Aheto is a Professor of Coastal Ecology and Interdisciplinary Oceans Studies and Director of the Centre for Coastal Management - The Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) at the University of Cape Coast. He holds PhD and MSc Degrees in Environmental Sciences and Tropical Aquatic Ecology respectively from the University of Bremen. He also holds an MSc. Degree in Rural Development from the Swedish Agricultural University. He earned his BSc (Hons) Degree from the University of Cape Coast. Professor Aheto is a distinguished scholar, with over 15 years of scientific project management experience. He is the authorized representative of institutional donor funded projects in marine/coastal and fisheries management at the University of Cape Coast funded by the World Bank, African Union, USAID, DANIDA among others. He’s passionate about international academic partnerships in his area of professional work. He has an outstanding intellectual publication record in indexed journals on issues of coastal/marine ecosystem conservation, small-scale fisheries, marine spatial planning, wetlands ecology, and marine conflict issues. He serves on several national and international Boards including his role as technical advisor to West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program of the World Bank. He holds several meritorious awards for his contributions to his field of professional work.
Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto
Professor - ( Senior Member ) Department of Fisheries and Aquatic SciencesDoctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science
Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology, University of Bremen, 2008Master of Science in International Studies in Tropical Aquatic Ecology
Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology, University of Bremen, 2004Certificate in Law of the Sea, Maritime Regulation and Enforcement
Cambridge Centre of Excellence, British Council, Accra , 2017Study Tour on Sustainable Fisheries Management and Leadership
College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, USA., 2024Capacity Building Workshop in Project Management & ACE Sustainability
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Western Premier Hotel, Koforidua , 2022Safeguards; Monitoring & Evaluation; Endowment Management
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Capital View Hotel, Koforidua , 2021Financial Management and Procurement for Key ACE Officers
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Western Premier Hotel, Koforidua., 2021-
Panel Chair
Session on “Funding and Internationalization”, National Tertiary Education Conference, Cedi House, University of Ghana Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) Accra Ghana.
-
Panelist, Round Table Discussion
on the Theme “Creation of Research Centres of Excellence for Sustainable Development”. UCC Research Week Conference Celebration, Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) School of Graduate Studies Auditorium, University of Cape Coast. .
-
Panelist
Transitioning from Vulnerability to Vulnerability in Small-scale Fisheries, 7th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) on the Theme “Making Marine Sciebce Matter” Cape Town, South Africa..
-
Participant
The Africa Platform for Regional Institutions in Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Systems (APRIFAAS). AU-IBAR, Casablanca, Morrocco.
-
Presenter
Conference on “Capacity Building for Marine Science and the Blue Economy under the Theme "Harnessing the Blue and Marine Economy in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development”. -.
-
Panelist
Cabo Verde and the Geopolitics of the Oceans: Building a Development Agenda anchored on Boosting and Generating Internal Wealth Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cape Verde..
-
Participant
11th Regional Marine and Coastal Forum - FOMACO 2024, on the Theme “Conservation, resilience, and sustainable development of the West African coastline in the face of global change” Guinea Bissau.
-
Panelist
2nd Edition of the Sustainable Blue Economy Investment Forum (SBEIF) Lisbon, Portugal.
-
Guest Speaker
10th Annual Conference Lecture by the School of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. .
-
Participant
AU-IBAR Biennial Forum for Regular Consultations on Monitoring Compliance on Domestication of Global and Continental Instruments within the Framework of African Fisheries Reform Mechanism Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
-
Presenter
“A Case Study of Phytosanitary Practices of Vegetable Growers and Agricultural Pesticide Contamination Levels in Coastal Lagoons of West Africa- EU-Conexus Research Conference.Aquatic and Coastal Ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities towards Sustainable Development," Rostock, Germany.
-
Guest Speaker
Towards a Global Ocean Agenda, 8th Our Oceans Conference Panama City, Panama..
-
Participant
The 3rd Biennial Conference on Fisheries and Coastal Environment titled “Inclusive Blue Economy”. Mensvik Hotel, Accra, Ghana.
-
Participant
2nd Dialogue with Regional Economic Communities (RECS) Implementation of Fisheries Governance Project Phase 2 (FISHGOV-2) Abuja, Nigeria.
-
Presenter
Blue Economy for the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States bordering the Atlantic (ATLAFCO) Morocco.
-
Participant
31st Biennial Conference of the Ghana Science Association on the theme GSA@60: Promoting Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development. University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
-
Participant
Conference on Fisheries and Coastal Environment organised by University of Cape Coast and University of Rhode Island. Mensvik Hotel, Accra, Ghana.
-
Convener
Fisheries and Coastal Environment (CFCE) under the Theme “The Changing Marine Fisheries and Coasts: Challenges and Opportunities for Changing Minds Accra, Ghana.
-
Participant
Conference on Fisheries and Coastal Environment organised by University of Cape Coast and University of Rhode Island. Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana.
-
Participant
RUFORUM 5th Biennial Conference on Higher Education in Africa Cape Town, South Africa.
-
Participant
Conference on Sustainable Development University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
-
Facilitator
Contemporary Issues in Fisheries Management. Fisheries Leadership Short course for Practitioners funded by USAID/Fisheries Recovery Activity Ghana.
-
Presenter
International and Regional Fisheries Institutional Frameworks and Bodies. Workshop on Destabilising Impacts of Distant Water Fishing Vessels (DWFV) in the Gulf of Guinea Yaounde, Cameroon.
-
Guest Speaker
“Promoting Research Excellence for Impact on Marine Conservation in Africa”, Institute for Oceans and Fisheries Online Seminar Series University of British Columbia, Canada.
-
Co-Facilitator
“Grants Proposal Writing Workshop” University for Development Studies.
-
Presenter
“Performance of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience”, Country Round Table Workshop Association of African Universities (AAU), Online.
-
Facilitator
“Regional Political Parties Dialogue on Fisheries: Protecting Our Fish, Securing Our Future, Live Engagement on JoyNews TV Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast.
-
Presenter
Professorial Inaugural Lecture on the topic “Our Oceans: Securing Our Common Future through Transformative Research” Medical School Auditorium, University of Cape Coast.
-
Presenter
Africa’s Plastic Revolution: Advancing Global Solutions for Healthy Oceans, T.D. Walter Bean Professorship Public Lecture University of Waterloo, Canada.
-
Presenter
Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy. National Consultative Workshop for the Formulation of a National Blue Economy Strategy for Angola Luanda, Angola.
-
Panelist
Regional Steering Committee Workshop for the World Bank West African Coastal Resilience Investment Projects (WACA ReSiP and ReiP2) Banjul, Gambia.
-
Facilitator
Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change. Short-term Training Course funded by USAID Ghana.
-
Co-Discussant
“Expanding the Impact of Blue Economy in Africa” (with Professor Rashid Sumaila) World Bank Headquarters, Washington.
-
Facilitator
Workshop on “Winning Research and Development Grants in a Competitive World” Bolgatanga Technical University, Ghana.
-
Facilitator
Workshop on “Proposal and Grants writing” University of Ghana, Ghana.
-
Speaker
Study Tour on Sustainable Fisheries Management & Leadership University of Rhode Island, United States.
-
Presenter
Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Ghana Case Study. Bootcamp on moving fisheries from Vulnerability to Viability Puri, Delhi, India.
-
Guest Speaker
Workshop Presentation on “Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy in Africa Hohai University, China.
-
Participant
6th ACE Impact Regional Workshop of the World Bank and the Association of African Universities Accra (Online).
-
Panelist
Seaweed (Sargassum) Invasion on the Ghanaian Coasts, Implications for the National Economy and Management Live TV Broadcast, GTV.
-
Guest Speaker
“West African Fisheries”, Workshop by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) University of Makerere, Kampala, Uganda.
-
Honorary Award
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), Ghana supported by USAID
-
Papal Award
Pope Francis, Rome
-
Transformative Leadership Award
Osabarinma Kwesi Atta Royal Award, 25th Anniversary Commemorative, Cape Coast, Ghana
-
Prestigious Award of Excellence
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
-
Award for winning the World Bank Africa Centers of Excellence (ACE) Project
Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC), University of Cape Coast.
-
Travel Grant for Conference at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), South Africa
University of Cape Coast
-
Award of Honour as Distinguished Lecturer
University of Cape Coast
-
Travel Grant as Invited Guest Speaker to University of Makere Uganda
Regional Universities Forum (RUFORUM)
-
Distinguished Lecturer Award for outstanding contributions to the University of Cape Coast
University of Cape Coast
-
Research Grant
Inter-Research, Germany
-
Conference Grant for Conference at the University of Illorin, Nigeria on Climate Change.
Centrum for Internationale Migration und Etwicklung, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
-
Fellowship to attend training on Climate Change Adaptation
USAID/University of Rhode Island, USA
-
Grant for Workplace Equipment
World University Service & Centre for International Migration and Development and the World University Service.
-
Four (4) travel grants in support of Biosafety Research in Zambia, Sout Africa, Tanzania and Germany
GenØk- Centre for Biosafety, Norway
-
Travel grant to participate in the Convention on Biological Divesitry (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan
European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER)
-
Workplace equipment grant
Center for International Migration and Development (CIM) on behalf of the German Government Ministry of Development through the World University Service (WUS) Deutsches Komitee e.V.
-
Grant for Keynote Lecturers
German Ministry for Education and Research
-
Reintegration Subsidy Programme for Returning Experts from Germany
Deutschen Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
-
Carlo Smidt Fellowship
DAAD Award funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research and Robert Bosch Foundation for Internship in International Organizations
-
DAAD Prize four outstanding academic merits and social engagement at the University of Bremen
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
-
KAAD Partial Grant for PhD studies at the University of Bremen
Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD), Bonn
-
Investment Grant for Resources Evaluation for Rural Energy in Ghana
Highlands Star Group of Companies, Geneva, Switzerland
-
STIBET Small Grant for International Students
University of Bremen PhD Subsidy
-
PhD Studentship/Bursary
KhG-Bremen, Germany
-
Research Grant
Stiftung Constantia, Germany
-
Equipment Grant
Inter-Research (IR), Oldendorf-Luhe, Germany
-
DAAD Scholarship for MSc. Study in Tropical Aquatic Ecology at the University of Bremen, Germany
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Bonn
-
Travel Grant for Internship at Mahidol University, Thailand
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA and Swedish Agricultural University
-
Travel Grant for Field Course in Namibia towards MSc. Rural Development Studies at Swedish Agricultural University
Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA and Swedish Agricultural University
-
Small Grants Award in support of MSc. Studies in Rural Development
Rotary International
-
USAID Fellowship for training in Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change
Coastal Resources Center, University of Rhode Island, USA
-
Carlo Smidt Fellowship for Internships in the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Robert Bosch Foundation
-
Co-Principal Investigator
New Frontiers Research Fund (NFRF). - Climate Change Adaptation, Dispossession and Displacement (ADD+) Project : CAD$ 450,000
-
Co-Principal Investigator
New Frontiers Research Fund (NFRF). - Co-developing Decision Support Tools for Mangrove-based Socioecological Systems in Eastern and Western Africa (CoastMan) : CAD$ 500,000
-
Project Lead
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) - Development of Integrated Sediment and Environmental Management towards Sustainable Conservation, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Livelihood Improvements in Coastal Areas.: YEN 35 million yen (JST) + 60 million
-
Team Member
The University of New South Wales/ Global Ocean Accounts Partnership. - Ocean Accounting in Ghana : AUD $ 244,750.
-
Project Lead
World Bank/MESTI - WACA Resilience Investment Program (RESIP II): US$ 2 million
-
Team member
Ocean Country Partnership Programme/Cefas/UKAID - Delivery of a short course on Marine Litter for the West Africa Region under OCPP : £88,605
-
Co-Principal Investigator
Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada - Solving the Sustainability Challenges at the Food, Climate and Biodiversity Nexus (FCB) Project: CAD 2.5 million
-
Team member
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Canada - Avu Lagoon Community Protected Area (ALCPA) Project: CAD$ 603,241
-
Project Leader, Ghana
USAID/ Tetratec - Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity (GFRA): US$ 370,000
-
Project Co-Lead
US Department of State/ American Embassy, Accra - Promoting Transparency, Accountability, and Local Capacity to Address the Destabilizing Impacts of Foreign Distant Water Fishing Vessels in the Gulf of Guinea and in the Waters of Mauritania Project : US$
-
Project Coordinator
US Department of State/ American Embassy, Accra - Addressing IUU in the Gulf of Guinea through Effective Training in Fisheries Management and Climate Change Adaptation (ProFishAdapt) Project: US$ 70,000
-
Team member
French Development Agency (AFD) & Global Development Network (GDN) - Assessment of Ecosystem-based livelihoods on biodiversity of the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar site (KLCRS) in Ghana: US$ 40,000
-
Project Coordinator
Association of African Universities - Marine Litter Network (MALNET) Project among ACE Impact Centres and collaborators across the West African Region as a whole. The project involved ACEs in Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Benin and Burkina Faso: US$ 100,000
-
Team member
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) - Coast Under Control: Euro 50,000
-
Project Lead
Lighthouse Foundation, Germany - Coastal and Marine Conservation Drive Project (COMADRIP): Euro 20,000
-
Co-Principal Investigator
Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada - Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Project: CAD 2.5 million
-
Co-Principal Investigator
USAID Women Shellfishers and Food Security Project : US$ 1 million
-
Team member
University of Washington, United States - Nippon Foundation Ocean Litter Project: US$18,315.41
-
Team Lead
European Union - Power to the Fishers Project: Euro 30,000
-
Project Coordinator
USAID - COVID-19 Intervention in Fishing Communities: US$ 60,000
-
Director
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR): US 6.4 million
-
Project Manager
DANIDA Research-Based Management of the Gulf of Guinea (HOTSPOT) Project: DKK 11 million
-
Team member
National Geographic, TWAS, and French Embassy - Beachmon Project: US$ 60,000
-
Coordinator
Developing manuals for detecting fish caught and processed through illegal methods and Coolaborative research on Cuttlefish in Ghana funded by USAID Sustainable Fisheries Management Project: US$ 10,000
-
Project Lead
USAID - Collaborative Research Project on Mapping Cuttlefish Distribution, Life Cycle and Breeding Grounds in the Marine Waters of Ghana: US$ 50,000
-
Project Coordinator
USAID - Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP) of the University of Rhode Island: US$ 1 million
-
Project Manager
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - Fisheries and Coastal Management Capacity Building Support Project: US$ 5.5 million
-
Project Coordinator
Ghana Government Skills Development Fund - Public-Private Partnership Project for Aquaculture Development in Ghana: US$ 350,000
-
Co-PI
Fishing for Security in the Gulf of Guinea: AUS 60,000
-
Project Coordinator
Australian Aid - Fishing for Security in the Gulf of Guinea Project: AUD 60,000
-
Project Coordinator
USAID - Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance (ICFG) Project: US$ 50,000
-
UCC Contact Person
USAID Integrated Coastal & Fisheries Management Project: US$ 50,000
-
Team member, Contract for services to deliver a short course on Marine Litter under the OCPP
Cefas/UKAID
-
Panel Chair, Reviewed Environmental Impact Statement of PECAN Energies for Offshore Exploration of Oil & Gas
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana, Secondi/Takoradi
-
Team member, Contract for development of a short course on Marine Litter for the West Africa Region
Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID
-
Team member, Contract services to conduct data collection surveys on abandoned lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in Ghana
Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID
-
Lead Consultant, Contract for the Development of Fishery Courses Syllabi for Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (DoFAS), University of Liberia
IDA-V3100
-
Panel Chair, Evaluation of Applications for recruitment of Environmental, Social Safeguards Officers for Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI)
World Bank funded West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme
-
Lead Consultant, Consultancy to review and align national fisheries and aquaculture polices and laws with the PFRS, regional instruments and global best practices for 15 AU Member States
African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
-
Lead Consultant, Mechanisms to Facilitate the Domestication of Global Instruments and Initiatives (2022)
African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
-
Lead Consultant, Identification of Issues for SIDS, Development of Draft Strategic Positions for SIDS
African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
-
Team member, Environmental Systems Analysis of the Avu Lagoon Protected area
Calgary Zoo Foundation
-
Trainer, Conduct Marine Spatial Planning Workshop in Ghana
University of Liverpool
-
Team member, Pre-feasibility study for nature-based intervention for Anlo Beach community in Ghana
Valued at US$32,365.00
-
Team member, Marine Plastic Pollution Study in Liberia
Conservation International
-
Team member, Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate - WACA -VAR Workshop
World Bank
-
Consultant, Support Development of Multi-sector Resilience Investment Programme for the West Africa Coastal Area Management Program
World Bank
-
Consultant, Issues and Opportunities in the Ghanaian Fishery Sector: Addressing the context, prospects and challenges
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), United Kingdom
-
Consultant, Estimations on renewable energy investments in Ghana
Highland Star Group (HSG) of Companies, Geneva, Switzerland
-
Team Member, Regional Mapping of Experts and Institutions in Coastal management
World Bank
-
Lead Consultant, Review of the Fisheries Act 2002 (act 625) and the Development of Draft Regulations for the conduct of Fisheries Impact Assessments
Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and GOGIG funded by DFID/UK
-
Team member, Environmental baseline survey of water bodies in the Great Consolidated Diamond Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mining concession
AERC Ltd.
-
Team member, Scoping Study on the Dredging of the Whin Estuary in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis
UCC Consultancy Unit/Consolidated Energy Ltd.
-
Team member, Social Ecology of Anlo Beach Wetland of Ghana
Friends of the Nation/IUCN/French Global Environment Facility (GEF)
-
Principal Investigator, Biodiversity Assessment of Urban Wetlands in the Western Region, Ghana with focus on Essei and Butuah Lagoons and the Whin River Estuary
USAID through Friends of the Nation