Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience |  University of Cape Coast

Resta Amoanimaa Sarpong is a passionate early-career researcher from Ghana, West Africa, with a strong interest in climate change adaptation, coastal community resilience, and the integration of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) into environmental governance. Her research interests include Climate Change Adaptation and Vulnerability, Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), Coastal Community Resilience, and Gender and Environmental Sustainability.
She holds a Bachelor of Education degree in Economics and Geography, with a major in Geography, from the University of Cape Coast. During her undergraduate years, Resta demonstrated strong leadership by serving as the SRC Women’s Commissioner and nationally as Chief of Staff for the University Students’ Association of Ghana (USAG).
Following her undergraduate studies, she completed her national service with the National Security of Ghana, specifically at the National Signal Bureau. There, she worked at the Emergency Command Center, where she was actively involved in coordinating emergency responses. Her role involved directing national emergency calls to the appropriate agencies including the police, fire service, ambulance, and other security services. This experience honed her skills in critical thinking, coordination, and community service under pressure.
Resta is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Integrated Coastal Zone Management at the University of Cape Coast. Her thesis focuses on assessing the contributions of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) to the adaptive capacity of coastal communities in the Ellembelle District of Ghana’s Western Region. The study evaluates both physical and social vulnerabilities to climate change and explores how traditional knowledge systems influence community-based adaptation strategies.
Motivated by a deep commitment to community empowerment and sustainable coastal development, Resta aspires to bridge traditional knowledge with scientific research to support inclusive, evidence-based policies. She is especially passionate about gender equality, environmental sustainability, and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable coastal populations in the face of climate threats.