Protecting Our Wetlands, Securing Our Future: The Keta Lagoon as a Pillar of Ghana’s Ramsar Dedication

Introduction

Wetlands are among the world’s most productive ecosystems, supporting remarkably high concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. As Ghana continues to demonstrate its commitment to environmental conservation through international agreements, the Keta Lagoon stands as a critical example of both the promise and challenges facing wetland preservation in West Africa. This article explores the ecological significance of wetlands, Ghana’s commitments under the Ramsar Convention, and why protecting the Keta Lagoon represents both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity for the nation.

Key Points

Background

Understanding Wetlands: Definition and Classification

To fully appreciate their importance, it is essential first to define what constitutes a wetland. Article 1.1 of the Convention on Wetlands, commonly known as the Ramsar Convention (1971), defines wetlands as:

“areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.”

For the protection of areas adjacent to wetlands, Article 2.1 further clarifies that a wetland:

“may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands.”

While the Convention recognizes 42 wetland types, five primary categories are widely recognized:

**Marine** – coastal wetlands, including lagoons, rocky shores, and coral reefs;

**Estuarine** – including deltas, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps;

**Lacustrine** – associated with lakes;

**Riverine** – along rivers and streams; and

**Palustrine** – “marshy” areas, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

These categories are further grouped into three broad categories: Marine and Coastal Wetlands, Inland Wetlands, and Human-made Wetlands. The latter comprises fish and shrimp ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs, gravel pits, sewage farms, and canals.

From these definitions and classifications, wetlands emerge as vital ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, regulate water systems, mitigate flooding, purify water, and provide considerable socio-economic benefits, such as livelihoods, natural resources, food production, and domestic water supply.

Ghana’s Commitment to Wetland Conservation

Ghana became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in 1988, signaling a long-standing commitment to wetland conservation and sustainable utilization. Through the designation of six Ramsar sites—the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Complex, Densu Delta, Muni, Pomadze, Sakumo, Songor, and the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, covering a total area of 205,162 hectares—the Government of Ghana has sought to conserve biodiversity, protect livelihoods, and integrate wetlands into national development strategies.

The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, in collaboration with local authorities, traditional institutions, civil society organizations, and research bodies, has advanced the management of these sites through legal frameworks, community-based approaches, and public education programs, including World Wetlands Day celebrations.

These measures also align with Ghana’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and contribute to the foundation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Analysis

The Ecological and Economic Significance of the Keta Lagoon

The Keta Lagoon, Ghana’s largest lagoon system, holds remarkable ecological, socio-cultural, and economic significance. Spanning approximately 120 km², it supports over 200 fish species, including economically important species such as tilapia, bonga, and mullet.

The lagoon sustains the livelihoods of an estimated 50,000 people, primarily from the Anlo State and surrounding communities, who depend on artisanal fishing, salt production, and agriculture. Beyond food security, the lagoon serves as a natural buffer against coastal erosion. Yet, it is losing an estimated 30–40 meters of coastline annually due to sea-level rise, sediment disruption, and sand mining.

The lagoon is also crucial for biodiversity, hosting migratory waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway, wetland plants that stabilize soils, and habitats for endemic species. Sustainable management of the Keta Lagoon is therefore central to Ghana’s blue economy framework, supporting fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, while advancing ecosystem-based climate adaptation.

Current Threats and Challenges

Despite its Ramsar designation, Keta Lagoon faces escalating threats from pollution, hydrological changes, and unsustainable land use. The lagoon receives agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers, industrial effluents, and domestic waste, leading to eutrophication and habitat degradation. Climate change exacerbates these pressures through increased temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and sea-level rise, which intensify coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion.

Unsustainable practices such as sand mining, mangrove harvesting, and overfishing further compromise the lagoon’s ecological integrity. Strengthening its protection requires science-based monitoring, restoration initiatives, and community co-management, recognizing the traditional stewardship of the Anlo people.

Policy and Governance Framework

Ghana’s approach to wetland management involves multiple stakeholders operating within a complex governance framework. The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission has primary responsibility for Ramsar site management, but effective conservation requires coordination with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, local assemblies, and traditional authorities.

The decentralized nature of wetland governance presents both opportunities and challenges. While community involvement ensures local buy-in and traditional knowledge integration, it can also lead to conflicting priorities and enforcement difficulties. Recent initiatives have focused on strengthening community-based natural resource management through capacity building, alternative livelihood development, and participatory planning processes.

Alignment with International Commitments

The conservation of the Keta Lagoon directly supports Ghana’s international environmental commitments. Under the Ramsar Convention, Ghana is obligated to promote the wise use of wetlands, designate and manage wetland sites, and cooperate internationally on transboundary wetland issues. The lagoon’s protection also contributes to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (particularly Target 2 on integrating biodiversity values into national planning) and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Furthermore, the lagoon’s role in climate change adaptation and mitigation aligns with Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, which emphasize ecosystem-based adaptation and coastal zone management.

Practical Advice

For Local Communities

Communities living around the Keta Lagoon can take several practical steps to support conservation efforts:

1. **Adopt sustainable fishing practices**: Use appropriate gear sizes, respect breeding seasons, and avoid destructive fishing methods like dynamite fishing or the use of small-mesh nets.

2. **Practice responsible agriculture**: Reduce chemical fertilizer and pesticide use, establish buffer zones between farms and water bodies, and adopt organic farming methods where possible.

3. **Participate in conservation programs**: Engage in community-based monitoring, join local conservation groups, and participate in wetland restoration activities.

4. **Reduce pollution**: Properly dispose of household waste, avoid dumping in water bodies, and participate in community clean-up initiatives.

5. **Explore alternative livelihoods**: Consider eco-tourism opportunities, sustainable aquaculture, or craft production using sustainable materials.

For Policymakers and Government Agencies

To strengthen wetland protection, policymakers should consider:

1. **Strengthening legal frameworks**: Review and update existing legislation to address emerging threats and close enforcement gaps.

2. **Increasing funding**: Allocate adequate resources for wetland management, monitoring, and restoration programs.

3. **Enhancing coordination**: Establish inter-agency committees to improve coordination between different government departments and levels of government.

4. **Supporting research**: Fund scientific studies on wetland ecology, climate change impacts, and sustainable management practices.

5. **Promoting education**: Integrate wetland conservation into school curricula and conduct public awareness campaigns.

For Businesses and Industries

Private sector actors can contribute through:

1. **Adopting environmental management systems**: Implement practices that minimize pollution and resource consumption.

2. **Supporting conservation initiatives**: Partner with conservation organizations and contribute to wetland restoration projects.

3. **Practicing corporate social responsibility**: Invest in community development projects that support sustainable livelihoods.

4. **Conducting environmental impact assessments**: Ensure that business operations do not negatively impact wetland ecosystems.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Keta Lagoon represents both the promise and challenges of wetland conservation in Ghana. As the nation’s largest lagoon system, it provides essential ecosystem services, supports thousands of livelihoods, and contributes to biodiversity conservation. However, the lagoon faces significant threats that require urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders.

Protecting the Keta Lagoon is not merely an environmental imperative but a strategic investment in Ghana’s sustainable development. By strengthening conservation efforts, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific approaches, and ensuring community participation, Ghana can secure the ecological integrity of this vital wetland while advancing its commitments to international environmental agreements.

The path forward requires sustained political will, adequate resources, and genuine collaboration between government agencies, local communities, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Through such collective action, the Keta Lagoon can continue to serve as a pillar of Ghana’s Ramsar dedication, securing both our wetlands and our future.