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

Funded by the Ocean Country Partnership Programme as part of the UK Blue Planet Fund through Defra and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, Rhoda Ofeibea Lamptey is a second year MPhil Integrated Coastal Zone Management candidate at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). She has been actively involved in coastal resource management, microbial and food safety in coastal waters, and bivalve mollusc sanitation programmes. Her work has included critical research on the risk profiling for bivalve growing areas in Ghana, of which Narkwa being an oyster growing area is her study area.

Oyster-growing areas in Ghana face microbial contamination risks that threaten food safety and livelihoods. Her study aims to assess contamination sources, microbial loads, and AMR patterns through a comprehensive baseline sanitary survey in the Narkwa growing area. The results will ensure the safe consumption of oysters, support regulatory improvements and sustainable aquaculture practices.

Rhoda is currently undergoing a Training in Sample Collection and E. coli Testing of Bivalve Molluscs at Cefas FAO Reference Centre in the UK. The training will enhance her expertise in public health risks associated with bivalve shellfish, risk assessment, sampling strategies and protocols, faecal indicator monitoring and quality assurance, accreditation and quality systems among others. She is committed to applying her knowledge in achieving a comprehensive baseline sanitary survey in the Narkwa growing area.