The conversation surrounding the Densu Delta Ramsar Wetland continued to gain momentum as the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research (CBCR) recently held a follow-up session on the pressing wetland conservation issues.
This second part of the conference, held after the initial workshop earlier this year, built upon the discussions from March 22, 2024, shedding light on the challenges, urgent interventions, and collective efforts needed to preserve wetlands for current and future generations.
The core theme of the session was a shared responsibility to conserve the wetlands, emphasizing the importance of the proposed Wetland Education Centre.
The centre is envisioned as a hub for engaging communities, raising awareness, and fostering sustainable practices for wetland utilization. As explained by the moderator, the concept behind the centre is rooted in the urgent need to address the growing degradation of wetlands due to human activity.
The goal is to educate and unite diverse stakeholders, ranging from local communities to government agencies, towards a common objective of safeguarding the wetlands.
One of the main speakers, Mr. Thomas Acquah, from the Forestry Commission overseeing wetlands in Ghana, painted a sad picture of the current state of the nation’s Ramsar sites. These critical wetland areas, including the Densu Delta and others like the Sakumo Ramsar Site, Keta Lagoon, the Muni-Pomadze Wetland, and many others, face mounting pressures from encroachment, pollution, and land reclamation for development.
He highlighted the troubling reality that areas such as Densu Delta are increasingly becoming targets for land development, with people building homes in flood-prone areas, unaware of the long-term consequences. Some communities, for instance, have found themselves living in areas where the land is already sinking into water, only to be repeatedly flooded during dam spillages.
The session also discussed the broader implications of development encroaching on protected wetland areas.
The Densu Delta Ramsar Site, a vital ecosystem that serves as a habitat for wildlife and a critical resource for surrounding communities, is facing similar threats. Rapid urbanization in the region, combined with lax enforcement of environmental laws, is putting immense pressure on this delicate ecosystem.
In some areas, people are building homes where water once flowed freely, creating a dangerous situation that not only threatens the wetlands but also the lives of the inhabitants.
Participants at the session underscored the need for an integrated approach to managing wetlands, one that involves not just authorities but the communities themselves.
Through continuous engagement, education, and collaboration, they hope to instill a sense of responsibility and ownership within local populations. After all, as Mr. Acquah noted, “it is not about using force to prevent developments but about guiding people to understand the long-term impact of their actions” .
The ongoing challenges faced by the Densu Delta Ramsar Wetland reflect a broader issue affecting wetlands across Ghana. From the destruction of habitats due to landfills to the pressures of urbanization, the struggle to balance conservation efforts with the demand for land continues.
The call to action, however, remains the same: collective effort and sustained collaboration are crucial for protecting these invaluable ecosystems.
In conclusion, this second part of the workshop reinforced the need for a united approach to wetland conservation.
The proposed Wetland Education Centre is a significant step in the right direction, offering a platform for dialogue, education, and action. But as emphasized throughout the session, the real work begins at the community level, where individuals and organizations must come together to ensure that the lessons learned in these conferences translate into tangible conservation practices. By doing so, we can ensure that the wetland’s and the vital services they provide remain preserved for future generations.
Story by: Ebenezer Lartey | univers.ug.edu.gh
