Lac Ossa Educational and Ecotourism Centre (CEELO)

Region

Africa

Country

Cameroon

Flyway

East Atlantic flyway

Initiative

WLI Africa

About

Name of organisation

INITIATIVES

Funding support

GEF/SGP, French Embassy, Roncalli International Foundation

Number of staff

 

Number of visitors per year

6

Overall aims of the centre

Participatory and sustainable conservation of Lake Ossa

Description of the centre

Located in the coastal region, in the Sanaga Maritime department, to the west of the Dizangué district, at coordinates 47’48’’N, 10° 01’29’’E, Lake Ossa covers an area of 4,500 hectares. It comprises a group of 22 islands divided into two sections (OSSA and MEVIA). This site welcomes around 5,000 visitors a year. The main protected species is the African manatee, which is classified as globally vulnerable.

Work Areas

Main CEPA work area

Design and production of information boards; design and printing of educational booklets and guides

Top three successes

  1. Support for community-led biodiversity conservation initiatives to promote ecotourism in EBOGO, Cameroon, carried out in 2024
  2. Improving the livelihoods of local communities and ensuring the sustainable management of biodiversity in Campo Ma’an National Park in 2022
  3. Supporting local communities in the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity in Campo Ma’an National Park and its surrounding area, carried out in 2026

Top three challenges

The main challenge lies in the remoteness of the project sites, which results in significant implementation costs, given that INITITIATIVES is based in Mbalmayo

Expertise

Interpretation techniques

Creating signage / site information; Producing written materials; Using audio-visual tools

Visitor centres

Setting up a new visitor centre

Participation

Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers

Education and communication

Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials

General

PR and marketing; Fund-raising; Project planning.

Contact

Name: Ms Kameni Ngabadji Rose Flore, President

Address: PO Box 338, Mbalmayo, Cameroon

Telephone: +237655776275

Email: camerooninitiatives@gmail.com

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