Feature by Comfort Sena Fetrie
Tema, Feb. 17, GNA - Wetlands, often described as the “kidneys of the landscape", are among Ghana’s most valuable yet most threatened ecosystems.
These areas, where water covers the soil permanently or seasonally, create a unique transition between dry land and open water bodies. They are characterised by hydrophytes (specialised water-loving plants) and hydric soils; wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs, estuaries and mangroves.
In Ghana, wetlands play indispensable ecological, economic and cultural roles. They provide fish habitats, grazing grounds, flood control, water purification and carbon sequestration services. They also sustain livelihoods and preserve cultural heritage in many communities.
However, despite their importance, wetlands across the country are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Alarming degradation
According to the Forestry Commission’s 2025 report, wetlands in Ghana are degrading faster than forests. Earlier estimates by the Wildlife Division indicate that Ghana has lost between 30 to 40 percent of its wetland ecosystems since the 1970s.
Urbanisation, pollution, land-use change, encroachment, overexploitation, illegal mining (galamsey), invasive species and climate change are among the major drivers of wetland destruction.
Environmental analysts warn that unless urgent interventions are implemented, Ghana risks losing ecosystems that are critical to food security, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
Why wetlands matter
Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots. They serve as breeding and feeding grounds for fish, birds, amphibians and numerous plant species, helping to maintain ecological balance.
They also provide essential ecosystem services, including groundwater recharge, flood mitigation and natural filtration of pollutants. In coastal areas, wetlands act as buffers against storm surges and erosion.
Economically, many communities depend on wetlands for fishing, grazing, salt production and ecotourism activities such as bird watching. In addition, wetlands are deeply connected to cultural practices, rituals and traditional governance systems that regulate resource use.
As one environmental advocate puts it, “Wetlands are not just water bodies; they are the lifeblood of our culture and our future.”
Coastal wetlands and climate change
Coastal wetlands in Ghana are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea levels, increased temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, flooding and extreme weather events are accelerating degradation.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that coastal flooding will become more frequent and severe as sea levels rise. Such developments threaten mangroves, estuaries and lagoons, altering salinity levels, nutrient dynamics and species composition.
Industrial activities along Ghana’s coastline, including ports and harbours, oil and gas operations, thermal power generation, fishing and aquaculture, further compound these threats.
Although Ghana has a comprehensive environmental regulatory framework, experts say weak enforcement undermines the effectiveness of these laws.
Environmental studies on coastal wetlands management indicate that decentralising conservation efforts and empowering local authorities could enhance rapid response and protection of vulnerable wetland ecosystems.
The role of traditional knowledge
Historically, traditional knowledge and cultural taboos played a central role in wetland conservation.
Certain wetlands were regarded as sacred and protected as the abode of gods or ancestors. Fishing and harvesting were restricted during specific seasons to allow regeneration. Oral traditions transmitted ecological knowledge from one generation to another.
However, modernisation and changing religious influences have weakened some of these traditional conservation practices.
Environmental advocates argue that integrating ancestral wisdom with modern conservation science is essential for sustainable wetland management.
Policy and regulatory framework
Ghana’s legal framework provides multiple layers of environmental protection.
The 1992 Constitution recognises the need for sustainable use of natural resources. The Environmental Protection Agency Act, 2025 (Act 1114), mandates sustainable environmental management, including wetlands.
The Fisheries Act, 2002 (Act 625), protects aquatic biodiversity, while the Wildlife Conservation Regulations, 1971 (LI 685), safeguard habitats, including wetlands. Ghana is also a contracting party to the 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, committing to protect designated Ramsar sites.
In addition, some traditional authorities enforce local by-laws governing sacred and culturally significant wetlands.
Despite these instruments, enforcement gaps persist.
Call for urgent action
Mr Jonathan Gokah, the Coordinator of the KASA Initiative Ghana, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the commemoration of World Wetlands Day, stressed the need to integrate traditional knowledge into national wetland management plans.
He called for official recognition of sacred wetlands and cultural taboos within conservation frameworks, alongside documentation of traditional ecological practices to support community-based conservation.
Mr Gokah also urged authorities to strengthen enforcement of environmental, fisheries and wildlife regulations to curb illegal mining, construction and pollution in wetland areas.
He recommended establishing and protecting buffer zones around critical wetlands and Ramsar sites.
Community participation and research
According to Mr Gokah, community participation is essential, advocating for local stewardship programmes that combine traditional and modern conservation approaches.
Public awareness campaigns, he said, should highlight both the cultural and ecological value of wetlands.
He further appealed for wetland restoration projects to address sea-level rise and erosion, including sea defence installations and efforts to curb sand poaching. Improved waste management and stricter industrial regulation are also necessary to reduce pollutant inflows.
Research and capacity building must be prioritised, including mapping wetlands, identifying biodiversity hotspots, documenting indigenous knowledge and training local authorities in sustainable wetland management.
The way forward
Wetlands are vital to Ghana’s ecological stability, food security, economic development and cultural identity. Yet they are under severe pressure from unchecked human activities and weak enforcement of environmental regulations.
Urban expansion, industrialisation, illegal mining and the erosion of traditional conservation systems are accelerating their destruction.
Addressing this challenge requires coordinated, inclusive and strictly enforced planning policies. Integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern conservation strategies offers a holistic path forward.
Strengthened enforcement, community engagement and cross-sector collaboration are essential to secure Ghana’s wetlands for future generations.
GNA
16 Feb 2026
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