The Importance of Urban Green Infrastructure in Promoting Pollinator Biodiversity and Enhancing Community Well-being in Ghanaian Megacities

Abstract

Urbanization presents significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, with pollinator decline and reduced community well-being becoming critical issues in rapidly expanding cities. This paper explores the role of urban green infrastructure in supporting pollinator biodiversity and enhancing community well-being in Ghana’s megacities, specifically Accra and Kumasi. By conducting a systematic review of literature from 2009 to 2025, a period that reflects the rise of scholarly and policy attention to urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services globally, drawing from major databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar) using Boolean search strategies, and applying explicit inclusion criteria (English-language, peer-reviewed studies, and empirical case studies) while excluding opinion pieces and duplicates, this review combines evidence from both global and local contexts to assess how urban green spaces like parks, gardens, street trees, and other green areas contribute to ecological and social resilience. The results show that urban green infrastructure provides vital habitats, floral resources, and ecological links for pollinators, while also offering concrete benefits, including improved cardiovascular and mental health, reduced heat-related illnesses, opportunities for community interaction, preservation of cultural landscapes, and enhanced flood regulation. Nonetheless, the paper highlights challenges, including unequal access, ornamental landscaping, fragmented governance, and insufficient policy integration. It concludes with recommendations for context-sensitive planning of urban green infrastructure that emphasizes native species, adaptive management, fair distribution, and community participation to promote pollinator conservation and human well-being equally in Ghana’s cities.