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

Antonio Yayrator Korkuvi is an early-career researcher with a strong and sustained interest in ocean governance, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. He possesses a solid interdisciplinary foundation that blends scientific, socio-economic, and policy-oriented perspectives to tackle the complex challenges of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Antonio is particularly committed to empowering local communities and advancing youth-led innovations in climate action.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Ghana, which provided him with a deep understanding of human systems, their functions, and complexities. Following his undergraduate studies, he completed his national service at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, one of Ghana’s premier research institutions. There, he served in the Epidemiology Department as a Quality Coordinator, where he ensured that both laboratory and administrative processes adhered to international standards to support the department’s accreditation efforts.
He is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy degree in Blue Economy, Governance, and Social Resilience at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, as an Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) scholar. His research focuses on assessing the vulnerability of mangrove forests in Ghana’s Amanzule Wetlands, with a particular emphasis on the anthropogenic drivers of degradation. Through a socio-ecological approach that combines geospatial analysis with community engagement, his work aims to inform inclusive policy interventions in mangrove conservation that are co-created and support sustainable coastal management efforts in West Africa and beyond.
As part of his professional experience, Antonio Yayrator Korkuvi has led the restoration of degraded mangrove forests in the Keta Municipal Assembly and coordinated the provision of alternative livelihoods for fish processors, contributing to both ecological recovery and economic empowerment. In alignment with his advocacy for the circular economy, he has secured grants to fund initiatives that equip students with practical knowledge and skills in circularity principles within the sustainability space. These efforts aim to create sustainable jobs, improve the well-being of coastal communities, and address issues of social and environmental injustice.
Antonio’s leadership and dedication to sustainability have earned him opportunities to participate in the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) and other high-level global platforms focused on youth inclusion in climate discourse, environmental justice, and intergenerational collaboration. His deep commitment to advocacy is fuelled by a passion for coastal protection and a profound sense of responsibility for the planet.