Stakeholders at a Natural Resources Management conference have stressed the need for African researchers to harness modern digital technology to develop practical solutions for the sustainable management of the continent’s forests, land and water resources.
Experts in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and wildlife are participating in the conference, dubbed the Sustainable Natural Resources Management Summer School, to share their expertise and impart knowledge to young scientists and researchers passionate about improving natural resources management in Africa.
The natural resource endowment of the African continent has come under serious threat due to illegal and environmentally harmful practices, including illegal mining, incessant bush burning and pollution of water bodies.
These challenges have prompted calls for natural resources researchers to apply available technology to test, diagnose and provide practical solutions for the sustainable management of these resources.
The Sustainable Natural Resources Management Summer School is a three-week workshop that brings together researchers from different African countries to learn innovative ways to enhance their work.
One of the lead facilitators and an agronomy research expert from Germany, Dr Eric Bonecke, said he had worked with the summer school for the past seven years and had helped train participants in data management and the use of computer technology to analyse research data and obtain accurate results.
According to Dr Bonecke, the rapidly evolving digital world requires natural resources researchers to keep abreast of new technological methods in statistical analysis and field investigations to obtain accurate data and results.
Another facilitator of the summer school, Lydia Olaka, urged African MSc and PhD students to participate in the workshop to develop their research skills in handling complex data in the challenging research field.
Participants were drawn from various African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Togo. They were hosted by the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences of the University of Ghana in Accra to learn from expert researchers about innovative ways to produce evidence-based solutions to inform policy on sustainable natural resources management.
Participants who spoke to this writer said they expected to be better equipped in research and data collection to contribute to addressing the ecological and environmental challenges confronting Africa.
A Nigerian science researcher and participant, Triumph Oruwale, said the opportunity for young African researchers to receive expert guidance from renowned specialists was a benefit that should not be underestimated.
He also commended the organisers of the summer school for fostering unity among African science researchers to collectively address the continent’s environmental challenges.
The Sustainable Natural Resources Management Summer School runs from October 5 to October 16, 2026, and is hosted by the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences of the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
