By Efio-Ita Nyok
Calabar – The University of Calabar played host to an intensive five-day workshop aimed at introducing the IMET (Integrated Management Effectiveness Tool) and the IUCN Green List to African universities, and retraining coaches in the effective management of protected areas. The workshop, held from the 16th to 20th of September, 2024, was organized by BIOPAMA (Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Program) under the supervision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with participants from various West African countries including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gambia.
The IMET tool, a cutting-edge innovation designed to assess the management effectiveness of protected areas, was the focal point of the training, which took place at the E-Learning Centre of the Department of Modern Languages and Translation Studies in the Faculty of Arts.
Bridget Kekong, a Master’s student from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science at the University of Cross River, expressed her excitement about the transformative learning experience. “This is my first time encountering the IMET tool, and I must say it has been an eye-opening experience. I now feel confident in using the tool to collect and evaluate data from protected areas. I would love to see more of these workshops so others can benefit as I have,” she stated.
Dr. Nelson Inyang from the University of Calabar’s Department of Geography and Environmental Science was equally impressed with the IMET tool’s potential. “The IMET tool is fully loaded, covering management, intervention, and planning. I’ve used several tools in my research, but this one stands out for its comprehensiveness. It ensures that no key areas are skipped and provides genuine results,” he noted.
For Ali Coulibaly, Project Officer at IUCN’s BIOPAMA, based in Dakar, Senegal, the workshop is part of a larger sustainability plan to ensure African universities integrate the IMET tool into their curriculum. “We are preparing a set of IMET quality experts, equipping them to work as Protected Area Managers. This tool is vital for evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas management, and we hope to see it embedded in the academic programs of universities across Africa,” he explained.
Participants not only received theoretical instruction but also engaged in practical sessions, with teams utilizing the IMET tool to evaluate the management plans of protected areas like Mole National Park in Ghana. Despite never having visited the park, students were able to assess the park’s management plan effectively through IMET, highlighting the tool’s far-reaching potential.
Beyond the technical training, the participants expressed their appreciation for the hospitality of Cross River State. Coulibaly, reflecting on his time in Calabar, remarked, “I’m very surprised and happy to discover this wonderful state. Our visit to the Cross River National Park was amazing, and I appreciate everything we have experienced here.”
The workshop concluded with attendees, both students and experts, expressing gratitude to the organizers for creating a platform that not only expanded their knowledge but also equipped them with practical tools for the conservation of biodiversity in Africa.
