By Joyce Gyekye
The Wetlands Division of the Forestry Commission, with the help of donor partners including the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is restoring some degraded Ramsar sites in the country.
The beneficiary wetlands include the Songhor Lagoon in Ada and the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site in the Volta Region.
The Wetlands Operation Manager, Wildlife Division of the Forestry Division, Dickson Agyeman, who led selected members of the Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change to tour some wetlands, said mangroves absorb more carbon dioxide than ordinary trees, therefore restoring degraded wetlands should be a priority in addressing climate change.
Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance. They have been designated under the Ramsar Convention for containing rare or unique wetland types that assist in conserving biological diversity.
They contain mangroves—trees or shrubs that grow on tidal, coastal swamps with numerous tangled roots. The roots grow above ground and form thickets. There are five designated Ramsar sites in the country, which are Muni-Pomadze, Densu Delta, Sakumo, Songor and Keta Lagoons.
The tour by Media platform on Environment and Climate Change was to afford them the opportunity to ascertain the status of the wetlands. At the Densu Ramsar site near Weija, fishmongers were on site cleaning a small quantity of fish. A woman in her seventies complained about the catch.
The Wetlands Operation Manager, Wildlife Division of the Forestry Division, Dickson Agyeman, explained what the Ramsar regulation says about the usage of the resource.
The team visited the Korle and Kpeshie Lagoons, which are under serious threat. At the Kpeshie Lagoon, most of the wetland had been reclaimed for development activities like car washing bays, houses, and shops.
At Abane, one of the communities surrounding the Songhor lagoon, some portions of degraded mangroves were being restored through natural regeneration. Since the Ramsar convention allows sustainable use of resources, there is a mangrove market at Keta Lagoon Complex, but that opportunity is being abused.
Lawrence Tetteh-Klu, a Forestry Commission Officer in charge of the Keta lagoon, appealed for assistance to effectively discharge his duties.
