Official Signing Ceremony: From left: Mr. Lionel Suchet, Director General of CNES; Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, Director of GSSTI; Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA; and Mr. Madin Maseeh, Chair of the Space4Ocean Alliance and President of the Maldives Space Research Organization, following the signing ceremony at the Grand Palais in Paris.
Ghana Strengthens Coastal Protection Efforts Through Space4Ocean Alliance
GSSTI’s signing of the Space4Ocean Declaration opens a new pathway for Ghana to build international partnerships and apply satellite technology to coastal erosion, flooding, pollution, and the protection of marine livelihoods.
For families living along Ghana’s coastline, the ocean is far more than a body of water. It provides food, employment, transport, and a deep sense of identity. Yet in communities such as Keta, Ada, Fuveme, and Shama, the same ocean is increasingly associated with severe erosion, tidal flooding, and the gradual loss of land, ancestral homes, and livelihoods.
It is against this pressing national background that the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI), a constituent institute under the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), signed a formal Declaration of Interest to participate in the global Space4Ocean Alliance.
Historic Signing at the International Space Summit
The Declaration was signed by the Director of GSSTI, Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, on 9 September 2026 during the prestigious International Space Summit held at the iconic Grand Palais in Paris, France.
The ceremony was conducted in the distinguished presence of Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA); Mr. Madin Maseeh, Chair of the Space4Ocean Alliance and President of the Maldives Space Research Organization (MSRO); and Mr. Lionel Suchet, Director General of the French Space Agency (CNES), along with international delegates from partner space agencies and oceanographic institutions.
Official Embassy Mission: Ghana’s high-level participation and Dr. Tandoh’s mission to the International Space Summit in Paris were officially sponsored and facilitated by the French Embassy in Ghana (Ambassade de France au Ghana), demonstrating France’s continuous commitment to advancing Ghanaian space science, international diplomacy, and ocean resilience.
International Space Summit proceedings in Paris: Delegates and alliance partners gathering during the plenary and signature sessions focusing on satellite data integration for global ocean and coastal preservation.
The Space4Ocean Alliance: Bridging Space and Maritime Action
The Space4Ocean Alliance is a voluntary international coalition connecting space agencies, scientists, governments, and marine organizations to develop practical, operational responses to critical marine challenges. Supervised under the leadership of a Chair and Vice-Chairs with secretariat coordination by UNOOSA, the Alliance promotes the combined use of satellite Earth observation, in-situ oceanographic measurements, and local frontline knowledge.
Strengthen Collaboration
Unite space agencies, maritime authorities, and coastal stakeholders into a unified operational front.
Empower Frontline Nations
Accelerate targeted capacity building, training, and technological transfer for vulnerable coastal countries.
Operational Services
Promote the delivery of real-time satellite data services for coastal line tracking and plastic detection.
Science-Based Practices
Exchange validated data models and ocean science to support sustainable blue economy policies.
Advanced Ocean Indicators
Develop machine learning and satellite indicators for marine biodiversity and shoreline dynamics.
Innovative Space Missions
Advise future satellite sensors, radar missions, and altimetry constellations targeting ocean preservation.
“When a coastline retreats, it is not simply a line changing on a map. It may represent a family losing its home, a fishing community losing its landing site, or public infrastructure becoming exposed. Our responsibility is to convert satellite observations into actionable information that helps Ghana act before the damage becomes irreversible.”
— Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh, Director of GSSTIHow Satellite Technology Directly Serves Ghana
Through the Remote Sensing and Climate Centre (RSCC) at GSSTI, space-based Earth observation can deliver measurable, life-saving impacts along Ghana's over 550 kilometres of coastline:
- Shoreline Dynamics & Retreat: Tracking annual rates of coastal erosion with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical imagery.
- Flood Risk Assessment: Identifying vulnerable settlements, roads, and critical national infrastructure exposed to storm surges and tidal inundations.
- Mangrove & Wetland Preservation: Mapping degradation and recovery of coastal wetlands and mangrove ecosystems that serve as natural sea-defense buffers.
- Marine Pollution Tracking: Detecting plastic waste concentrations, oil spills, and effluent plumes entering coastal fishing waters.
- Sustainable Blue Economy: Supporting fisheries monitoring, combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and providing sea surface temperature insights for sustainable catch management.
What the Signing Means for Ghana
The signing of the Declaration represents the opening of a formal, high-level international channel through which GSSTI can present Ghana’s localized needs, forge partnerships with leading space agencies such as CNES, participate in expert working groups, and co-develop funded collaborative projects.
It also creates vital avenues for Ghanaian scientists, researchers, and early-career engineers to participate in specialized fellowship training, access cutting-edge Earth observation datasets, and ensure that the voice and realities of African coastal communities are directly represented when international space missions and tools are designed.
Through this decisive step, GSSTI reaffirms a fundamental national commitment: Ghana will harness the view from space to protect the lives, livelihoods, and natural heritage found along its shores.
Ambassade de France au Ghana • French Embassy in Ghana
GSSTI extends its deepest appreciation to the French Embassy in Ghana (Ambassade de France au Ghana) for sponsoring and facilitating Ghana’s delegation and Dr. Joseph Bremang Tandoh's mission to the International Space Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris. This official Embassy mission underscores the vibrant scientific partnership between France and Ghana in advancing Earth observation, marine protection, and sustainable coastal resilience.
Space4Ocean Presentation • Space Summit V4
Review the comprehensive alliance charter, governance framework, and priority action roadmap (PDF).
