Threats to the Conservation of Wetlands in Ghana: The Case of Songor Ramsar Site

Abstract

Wetlands are important ecosystems internationally recognized, as exemplified by the Ramsar Convention of 1971. They are diverse in terms of habitat, biota, distribution, functions and uses. Many wetlands have lost their pristine quality and have been transformed to modified ecosystems, but their salient role in the ecosystem function cannot be replaced. Over exploitation due to developmental activities and over dependents on their values for livelihood are threatening their existence. Presently, there are five sites with a surface area 178,410 hectares designated as wetlands of international importance, in Ghana. These sites are located in the strategic area of the country which includes the Densu Delta, Muni Lagoon, Anlo-Keta Lagoon Complex, Sakumo Lagoon and the Songor Lagoon. These wetlands are an ecologically valuable resources with diverse fauna including marine turtles, avocets, terns and other migratory or wintering wildlife species. However, overexploitation and dependency as well as developmental activities on their values for livelihood are threatening their existence. The Songor Lagoon Ramsar site inhabits over 87,000 people in its ecological sensitive area putting enormous pressure on the natural resource and therefore endangering the existence of the species and their habitats. Therefore a study to investigate the environmental impact of the socio-economic activities on the wetlands has been deemed necessary in order to recommend sustainable measures for the restoration of such sites. This study used a blend of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather both primary and secondary data. Simple random sampling, descriptive and inferential statistics were all employed in data analysis as well as interpretative technique also. The results indicate that about 92% of the respondents heavily depend on Songor wetland for livelihoods. It was also in established that, 52% of the inhabitants are involved in fishing with chemicals whiles 60% also reclaims the land by using sand for construction in the site. Consequently, wetland resources have been overexploited and degraded, leading to frequent flood and storm attacks. In conclusion, access to the wetland by the public to undertake activities has made its management on sustainable basis difficult for the management authority. It is therefore recommended that, awareness should be created about the values of the wetland among the community members, also environmental impact assessment should be done before any project is carried out in the site, and the local authorities should formulate a policy or review existing regulations to provide a legal framework for sustainable utilization of the resource and access to critical areas in the Ramsar site.