About Us
Who We Are
The Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA) is a non-profit organization committed to addressing critical issues in communities worldwide and enhancing the quality of life in underserved communities through sustainable development initiatives and collaborative efforts.
ASCOA is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status in the USA. It was established in 2014 and headquartered in Buea, Cameroon.
About Cameroon Coastline
Cameroon is a Central African country with a diverse landscape that includes luxurious rainforests, towering mountains, and beautiful beaches. The country’s coastline stretches over 412 kilometers and is home to various marine ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. Cameroon’s beaches are a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. However, like many coastal regions, Cameroon’s beaches are threatened by pollution and marine debris. Beach clean-up activities play an essential role in protecting Cameroon’s coastal environment. By removing trash and debris from beaches, beach clean-ups help improve the marine ecosystem’s health and create a more enjoyable experience for visitors. Beach clean-ups also raise awareness of the issue of marine pollution and encourage people to take action to protect the environment.
The Cameroon coastline is a diverse and ecologically important area home to various marine life, including fish, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and different species of birds. The coastline is also essential for local communities, providing food, income, and tourism.
However, the Cameroon coastline faces significant plastic pollution threats, just like many coastal areas worldwide. Plastic waste in the ocean can harm marine species by entangling them, blocking their digestive systems, and releasing harmful chemicals into the water. This can lead to injury, illness, and even death for marine life.
Plastic pollution is particularly problematic in Cameroon due to poor waste management practices and a lack of recycling and waste disposal infrastructure. As a result, plastic waste often ends up in rivers and eventually goes to the ocean. This has led to significant damage to the marine ecosystems along the coastline, including the depletion of fish populations and the destruction of coral reefs.
However, efforts are being made to address this issue, including initiatives to promote recycling and reduce plastic use and cleanup campaigns to remove plastic waste from the coastline and surrounding waters. These efforts are essential for protecting the biodiversity of the Cameroon coastline and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the marine ecosystems in the region.
This campaign emphasizes the critical role of beach clean-up initiatives in preserving Cameroon’s coastal environment. By removing debris, these efforts enhance visitor experiences and raise awareness about marine pollution. They also align perfectly with the rising ecotourism trend, where travelers seek enriching experiences while supporting local communities.
Incorporating beach clean-up activities into ecotourism programs offers tourists educational opportunities, fosters community engagement, and promotes sustainable practices. The content provides practical guidance on promoting sustainable ecotourism through these initiatives, ranging from education to community partnerships.
By doing so, Cameroon can protect its coastal environment for future generations while promoting a sustainable and thriving ecotourism industry.
Our Five Year Vision on Goal 14
ASCOA’s vision for Goal 14 (Life Below Water) by 2030 centers around its commitment to protecting marine ecosystems, mainly through reducing marine pollution, promoting sustainable use of ocean resources, and conserving coastal and marine areas. Based on ASCOA’s activities, including beach cleanups, marine debris management, and collaborations with international organizations like Ocean Conservancy.
The key goals include:
- Reduce Marine Debris and Plastic Waste: Achieve a 50% reduction in marine debris and plastic waste along Cameroon’s coastline by 2030.
- Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement: Increase public awareness and participation in marine conservation activities by 70% over the next five years.
- Strengthen Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Advocate for and implement more robust policies and regulations to prevent marine pollution by 2030.
- Build Capacity for Sustainable Practices: Train and equip 500 local stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and businesses, on sustainable waste management practices by 2030.
- Contribute to the Abidjan Convention: Actively support the objectives of the Abidjan Convention by enhancing cooperation with regional partners, aligning local strategies with regional commitments, and contributing to the development and implementation of regional action plans for the protection and sustainable management of marine and coastal environments by 2030.
Over the next five years, the plan will be implemented in phases.
- Year 1 will prioritize baseline studies, public awareness campaigns, and school partnerships to integrate marine debris education.
- Year 2 will focus on large-scale cleanup initiatives, capacity building, and establishing community-based recycling programs.
- In Year 3, monitoring and evaluation systems will be introduced, supported by community-led compliance programs.
- Year 4 will expand successful projects with continued policy advocacy and more vigorous regulatory enforcement.
- Finally, in Year 5, the focus will shift toward achieving significant pollution reduction, documenting best practices, and securing long-term sustainability through innovative waste management technologies and international collaborations.
Our Reports
