RASCOM D-G engages in High-Level Dialogue on Space and GNSS for Disaster Preparedness at SatNav Africa 2025
Date: 2025-07-24
The Director General for the Regional African Satellite Communication Organisation (RASCOM), Timothy Ashong joined leading experts and policymakers at the just-ended Africa Satellite Navigation Conference High-Level Pre-event 2025 hosted by the Government of Cabo Verde and organized by SatNav Africa JPO. Themed “Space and GNSS: Catalysts for Early Warning and Disaster Preparedness in Africa,” the panel discussions focused on how space-based technologies, particularly Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and remote sensing platforms, are key to strengthening Africa’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS).
In his contribution, Mr.
Ashong outlined the importance of innovation and integrated systems in
enhancing the spatial accuracy, temporal resolution, and scalability of
disaster preparedness infrastructure across the continent. He also underscored
the need for interoperability between emerging technologies and legacy systems,
while calling for greater regional coordination and sustained investment in
capacity-building and technology transfer.
Mr. Ashong joined a
distinguished panel of speakers, including Mr. Eric Guyader of EC-DG DEFIS; Mr.
Maram Kaire, Director General of ASES; Mr. Vivien Dovonon from ASECNA/ANGA; Mr.
Vincent Gabaglio of EUMETSAT; Dr. Jacques Tavares of INIDA; and Mr. José Manuel
da Veiga Pereira, Director General of Cabo Verde’s National Institute of
Meteorology and Geophysics (INMG).
As Africa confronts
increasingly complex climate and environmental challenges, RASCOM remains
committed to working with continental and global partners to promote resilient
infrastructure and ensure that no region is left behind in the advancement of
space-based solutions for disaster risk reduction.
By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
