The Threatened Species Conservation Alliance (THRESCOAL) is a fast-rising Ghanaian conservation NGO dedicated to biodiversity and environmental protection. THRESCOAL‘s mission is to undertake demand-driven research, empower local communities, raise awareness, build the capacity of young conservation scientists, and push for the development of environmentally-oriented policies for the conservation of all wild species, especially those threatened with extinction. THRESCOAL takes a grassroots-based approach to conserve wildlife and critical ecosystems and engages a network of researchers stretching across West Africa, from Cote d’Ivoire to Cameroon.

This project has identified species groups that represent some of the most data-deficient and endangered species across both West Africa and the globe. Regional capacity to study and protect these species is, with few exceptions, inexistent or only nascent throughout the region. Work will increase regional capacity to tackle conservation challenges by filling data and knowledge gaps for underrepresented species of critical conservation concern, and lay the foundation needed for future conservation action.

The overreaching goal is to build the capacity and support networking and collaboration of young conservation scientists for improved management of freshwater and riparian ecosystem species in West Africa. Specifically, this project aims to

• Build capacity and opportunities for collaborative research and conservation planning for aquatic and riparian species in West Africa;
• Support young scientists through the fundraising, project management, research design, data collection, analysis, publication, and preliminary conservation planning processes;
• Apply participant research to co-develop the data based framework upon which species conservation action plans can be developed through a future participatory process with key decision/policy makers in West Africa;
• Support and reinforce the network(s) of species conservation scientists in West Africa;
• Reinforce the institutional and administrative capacity of THRESCOAL and other participant local NGOs.

Emmanuel Amoah is a young conservation biologist who has been actively involved in nature conservation activities in Ghana since 2010. Emmanuel has gained relevant experience in biodiversity research and conservation through internships, voluntary and professional works with A Rocha Ghana, Resource Management Support Centre of Forestry Commission of Ghana and Golden Star Mines Limited, Ghana. He served as a team member on various projects including; ‘Forest Investment Programme (FIP)’ sponsored by the World Bank and African Development Bank, ‘Assessment and Conservation of the Threatened Crocodiles Mecistops cataphractus and Osteolaemus tetraspis in Southern Ghana’ sponsored by The Rufford Foundation and ‘Conserving the Vulnerable West African Dwarf Crocodile; A Community Approach in Anwianfutu, Ghana’ sponsored by British Ecological Society. Emmanuel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources Management, a Master of Philosophy in Wildlife and Range Management, and is currently pursuing Doctor of Philosophy degree in Wildlife and Range Management at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds a certificate in Tropical Ecosystems and Conservation from Ecology Field School (Herp Ghana, 2014). Emmanuel is a member of the Future Leadership Working Group (FLWG) within the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG). Emmanuel is among the pioneers spearheading crocodile conservation in Ghana.