The Narkwa Oyster Harvesters Association (NOHA) recently celebrated a generous gesture made them by their Gambian counterparts, the TRY Oyster Women's Association. TRY, like NOHA, is a formalised women-led resource user organisation based in The Gambia. The donation, comprising over 50 pairs of high-quality cotton gloves, arrived as a boon to NOHA members, who ply their oyster harvesting in shallow beds of the Narkwa lagoon.

The Try Oyster Association, a community-based organisation boasting a membership of over 500 industrious women oyster and cockle harvesters in The Gambia, spearheaded this thoughtful gesture. Established in 2007 with a dual mission to combat unemployment and mitigate coastal degradation, the association has been instrumental in uplifting the lives of local women through a blend of action and education. Their initiatives include imparting crucial knowledge on sustainable harvesting practices and fostering a deep understanding of mangrove ecosystem management among oyster harvesters.

Meanwhile, NOHA stands as a beacon of oyster fishery sustainability in Ekumfi Narkwa, located in Ghana's Central Region. Comprised predominantly of dedicated women, NOHA is steadfast in its commitment to promoting the responsible exploitation of oyster and bivalve food resources within the Narkwa lagoon. The invaluable donation of gloves, facilitated through the West Africa Shellfish Knowledge and Outreach Hub hosted by the Centre of Coastal Management at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) during a research expedition to The Gambia, was met with gratitude and enthusiasm. At a recent NOHA meeting held on Tuesday, 6th February, 2024, the President of NOHA graciously accepted the gloves on behalf of the association, marking the occasion with a brief ceremony.

This act of generosity not only underscores the burgeoning partnership between these two esteemed women-led shellfish resource user associations, but also serves as a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing shared goals. NOHA members extend their heartfelt appreciation to Try Oyster for this invaluable donation, recognising its potential to significantly reduce the risk of hand injuries during oyster harvesting and processing endeavours.