By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, Oct. 24, GNA – Implementers of a project focused on restoring mangroves along the Keta Lagoon are optimistic about its long-term and short-term impacts.
The initiative, known as the Regenerative Development of Anlo Wetlands (ReDAW) Project, encourages residents to plant mangroves and engage in regenerative aquaculture and related activities to protect the coastal wetlands and create sustainable livelihoods.
At a consultative workshop in Accra, Mr. Raphael Yao Ahiakpe, Country Director for ReDAW and Seawater Solutions, reported that the project was making steady progress in communities, including Fiaxor, Atito and Aflorto in the Kome and Shime areas in the Anloga District of the Volta Region.
He acknowledged that there were initial challenges in gaining support from landowners but noted that the project now included individuals from various backgrounds who are actively participating in mangrove planting.
“We have done so much with a lot of landowners subscribing to the project, and what is left now is to have all other stakeholders to come on board.
“While this project is an emerging market, we in Ghana must take advantage of it and make good use of resources such as wetlands and engage in productive activities that will impact the environment positively,” he stated.
Mangroves, which are specific shrub or tree species found along sea and riverbanks, play vital roles in supporting marine life, preventing erosion, and absorbing carbon.
ReDAW is supported by the non-governmental organization Terraformation, Seawater Solutions, and various local agencies and community stakeholders.
Project officials aim to restore 2,600 hectares of degraded mangrove land into a thriving ecosystem while generating nearly one million verified carbon units over the next 40 years.
Mr. Ahiakpe stated that the organization planned to expand other aspects of the project and provide community members with the necessary expertise and knowledge to sustain the initiative.
He said the workshop aimed to foster trust and promote transparency in discussions regarding the project’s goals, challenges, and expectations.
Additionally, it sought to build strong partnerships between communities, state institutions, and project stakeholders to ensure that the initiative remained resilient, adaptive, and capable of addressing future challenges.
Mr. Daniel Kofi Abu, Africa Country Manager of Terraformation, highlighted the economic, environmental, and employment potential of the ReDAW project.
“Considering the effect of coastal degradation, the project is likely to generate close to 18 million dollars…Over the lifespan of the project, communities would have regenerated their aqua fields, and fish stock in these communities would have increased significantly.
“Already the project has employed many people who do the planting, and when the project expands, it is likely to create more opportunities. Projects of this nature are very necessary and come to augment the effort of the government,” he noted.
Ms. Joella Korczak, Chief Programme Officer, Seawater Solutions and ReDAW, and Mr. Sam Mackinnon, Chief Operating Officer, both expressed satisfaction with the initiative and called for more partnership.
“This year, we are planting three different mangrove species (red, black, and white mangroves) in addition to 5000 cashew trees to increase biodiversity.
“We expect to finish planting in 2027, and hopefully, our project would be a good demonstrator for “blue economy” and how it works,” the officials noted.
Participants at the forum included representatives from the Forestry Commission, research institutions, other non-governmental organisations, and community members, who engaged in panel discussions about mangrove restoration in Ghana, and related topics.
GNA