Asserpark 44

6706 HC Wageningen

Netherlands

11-10-2019

Case Recruiter

ACT Coordination

Wageningen University and Research Centre

Netherlands

Dear Case Recruiter,

APPLICATION TO BE A CONSULTANCY TEAM MEMBER

I write to apply to be a team member of project case: 2,366 – ‘The impact of seaweed cultivation on marine
ecosystem’, fansea Straw. My keen interest in assessing impact in ecosystem services has motivated my
choice for this project.

I am in the position to contribute to researching in this topic per my knowledge accrued in the courses I
have completed so far. I would also take advantage of this opportunity of being part of this project to get
more in-depth knowledge and experience on impact assessment and general project consultancy.

I strongly believe that this project would offer me the opportunity to share knowledge, learn from others as
well as improving environmental policy making decision.

Attached is my full motivation for this project and curriculum vitae for your consideration. Hoping to hear
affirmatively from you soon.

Thank you

Yours faithfully,

Gifty Abiwu
 MOTIVATION

I am a young lady of 29 years of age from Ghana; West Africa, who wishes to apply for a position as a
team member in your notable project which was published on ACT website. After a thorough scrutiny
through the topics and various research projects available for period Two’s ACT, I decided to settle on the
project case: 2,366 – ‘The impact of seaweed cultivation on marine ecosystem’, Fansea Straw. Even though
I considered several of the other projects, my first choice was on this particular project because of my keen
longing interest in Environmental Impact assessment.

My second choice was the project on the case 2378; ‘From Forest to Food forest, how to combine nature
and Agriculture in a healthy and holistic way’. And then the third project on Case 2363; Greenhouse
produced flower bulb, science fiction or reality. I also applied to pick the role of secretary or controller in
the team I will work with.

From the experience and knowledge accrued in my courses completed so far, I am in the position to
contribute immensely to all of the projects listed above. However, I will best be of a resourceful bank to
the first choice project than any of the others. Aside it’s being a very important and under researched area
of study especially in my home country, marine study is a naturally interesting area to me. Like many
others, I work more efficiently and very effectively if I engage in a study that is of special interest to me. If
I get to work on this first choice project, it will be a stepping stone for me since I would like to do further
studies on the impact assessment of Marine issues in my Master thesis and future projects.

I have already completed courses on Practical Aquatic Ecology and have done a mini project on the topic;
‘Assessing risk in river flood plains’. I must say I enjoyed my time pursuing this course and the mini project
which have made me develop even more interest in this field. Assessing the environmental impact of
seaweed cultivation on marine ecosystem presents to me an opportunity to gain more experience in a marine
subject but a new challenge of looking into seaweed.

Sea weed has become a subject of research recently because of the complexity and uncertainty concerning
pollution that comes from both point and non-point sources. Sea weeds have several ecological impacts
which seem to have a lot of positive but it will be interesting also to look into the adverse effects and impacts
of these aquatic life entities.

Coupled with this experience and exposure that I am looking forward to, I will also like to take up a role of
secretary or controller. Per my understanding, the secretary is responsible for the day to day agenda setting
and the minutes recording of the meetings. The secretary must also be prepared to stand in when the
manager is absent. I would like to take this challenge up and get an experience in this since I have not ever
taken up such a role in an academic project.

For controller, I learnt is responsible for the drawing of the budget of the project. I have a little experience
in this, however it will be nice to take up this role in such a consultancy project.

I am keen on bringing my ideas and expertise on board to help and facilitate this consultancy project as
well as learning from others and new experiences as well.
PERSONAL PROFILE

NAME: Gifty Abiwu

DATE OF BIRTH: 09/09/1990

NATIONALITY: GHANAIAN

ADDRESS: Asserpark 44, 6706 HC Wageningen, Netherlands

PHONE NUMBER: (+31)647239308

E-MAIL: gifty.abiwu@wur.nl/ linkedIn giftyabiwu26@gmail.com

PROFILE

I am ambitious, confident, hardworking, creative, flexible and a team player. I possess excellent
communication skills; strong analytical, organizational and management skills. I take personal initiative
and possess very strong leadership skills.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

February 2019 – present Wageningen University and Research

MSc. Environmental Science (Environmental System Analysis)

August 2016 – July 2012 University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

BSc. Environmental Science

Other Training

Training- Geographic Information System and Leadership, School of Biological Science, Department of
Fisheries and Aquatic Science, University of Cape Coast, Samrite Hotel, 13th to 17th March, 2017

Training- Geographic Information System – Intermediate, School of Biological Science, Department of

Fisheries and Aquatic Science, University of Cape Coast, Birdrock Hotel, 24th to 28th March, 2017

2 – Months Theoretical and Practical Training in Computing, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel,
Microsoft PowerPoint, Internet Orientation and Typing, C. C. M U.C.C March 2014

WORK EXPERIENCE

September 2017- Hog Engineer Ghana limited

Safety and Monitoring Officer (worker)

September 2017- North Eastern Christian Academy, Global Mission and Resource Center

Teacher and Environmental Health Advocate

September 2016 School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Teaching Assistant (National Service)

June-August 2015 Environmental Protection Agency

Administration and Monitoring (Internship)

June 2014 University of Cape Coast Hospital

Laboratory Assistant (Internship)

June 2011 – July 2012 Flower Gay schools

Teaching Attendant (Cape Coast)

SELECTED RESEARCH WORK

Assessment of the impact of polluted surface water on hand-dug wells in Duakor Community

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

A trainer, Use of QGIS to arrive at a solution, Monitoring and measurement of impact, risk assessment,
Cost benefit Analysis, Life cycle analysis, water analysis, health and safety principles in the laboratory

A researcher, also possess management and organization skills

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS/WORKSHOP

Webinar: Communicating Research on Diesel and your Health - The National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences (NIEHS) in partnership with the University of Southern California and Colorado State
University, 16th September, 2016

Webinar— The Interplay Between Environmental Exposures and Infectious Agents: Session I -
Introduction to Infectious Agents and Their Interactions with Environmental Exposures. U.S. EPA, Office
of Land and Emergency Management, Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation.
17th October 2016

Webinar -Protecting Threatened & Endangered Species with Continuous Water Quality Data - Aquatic
Informatics, Eureka Water Probes and Edwards Aquifer Authority, USA. 6th October, 2016

Seminar on Opportunity and Innovation: How U. S .is leading the Global Efforts to Respond to Climate
Change, U.C.C Auditorium, 10 October, 2016

REFERENCES

Professor Frederick Ato Armah

Deputy – Director, Directorate of
Research Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC-UCC)
Formal Head of Department of Environmental Science
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
+233249483014
farmah@ucc.edu.gh

Professor Alexander Nii Moi Pappoe

Acting Dean of Nursing
Formal Vice- Dean of School of Biological Science
Formal Head of Department of Environmental Sciences
University of Cape Coast - Ghana
+233244879965
apappoe@ucc.edu.gh