By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Wokumagbe-Ada, July 30, GNA — Environmental stakeholders have renewed calls for stronger protection of Ghana’s mangrove ecosystems, warning that continued degradation could worsen coastal erosion, flooding and biodiversity loss.
The appeal was made during activities marking the 2026 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem at Wokumagbe in the Ada West District.
The activities included the launching of a large-scale mangrove restoration project at Wokumagbe by the ActionAid Ghana, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), UN-Habitat and the University of Twente, being implemented under the Improved Resilience of Coastal Communities in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana (IRCC) project with funding from the Adaptation Fund.
Mr Justin Bayor, the Head of Programmes, Campaigns and Innovation at ActionAid Ghana, said mangroves remained among the world’s most effective natural defence against climate change.
Mr Bayor said apart from protecting shorelines from erosion and storm surges, mangroves serve as breeding grounds for fish and other aquatic species while supporting the livelihoods of thousands of coastal residents.
He urged communities to take ownership of conservation efforts by preventing indiscriminate harvesting, encroachment and other destructive human activities.
Mr Lawrence Katey Nunekpeku, Presiding Member of the Ada West District Assembly, said the district had once possessed extensive mangrove forests, many of which had disappeared because of coastal erosion and unsustainable exploitation.
He appealed to development partners to extend restoration efforts to other sections of the Songor Lagoon and neighbouring coastal communities.
“Many migratory birds depend on these wetlands. Restoring mangroves across the coastline will help preserve their habitats,” he said.
Mr Francis Tetteh Alimo, the Assembly Member for the area, said healthy mangrove ecosystems contributed significantly to fisheries production, shoreline protection and biodiversity conservation.
Madam Leticia Teye, a resident of Wokumagbe, said the restoration programme would help protect the community from flooding while improving fishing livelihoods.
According to information presented by the project consortium, Ghana currently has between 13,000 and 14,000 hectares of mangrove forests located mainly within the Volta Delta, Keta Lagoon Complex, Songor Lagoon, Densu Delta, Muni Lagoon and Ankobra Estuary.
However, these ecosystems continue to face increasing threats from unsustainable harvesting for fuelwood and fish smoking, salt mining, urban expansion, pollution and climate change.
Environmental experts estimate that more than 60 per cent of Ghana’s coastline is now vulnerable to erosion and flooding, underscoring the need for sustained ecosystem restoration and conservation.
Stakeholders therefore called for stronger community participation, enforcement of environmental regulations and continued investment in nature-based solutions to improve climate resilience and protect coastal livelihoods.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Opesika Tetteh Puplampu