3,000 mangroves planted at Muni-Pomadze Ramsar Site

Community members from two fishing communities, Warabeba and Nsuakyir, have planted over 3,000 mangrove seedlings (Rhizophora stylosa) at degraded sites within the Muni-Pomadze ramsar site. The planting was done as part of efforts to protect and promote the sustainable use of mangrove resources at the Ramsar site. These two communities largely depend on mangroves for their livelihoods. However, unsustainable harvesting of mangroves for fuel wood to support fish processing activities over the years has resulted in the degradation of most mangrove areas. These and other unsustainable activities have affected the fishing economy and impacting negatively on the livelihood sources of communities who depend greatly on these mangrove resources.

Community Mangrove Restoration

The Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site includes a mangrove-fringed lagoon and sandy beaches of global importance for waders, terns and other waterbirds. The site also serves as nesting grounds for sea turtles during their breeding season. During 2013-14, A Rocha Ghana worked with over 3,000 people from three adjacent communities to promote conservation and  sustainable use of the mangrove resources. Over 15,000 mangroves within the period have been planted and thriving well now.

In 2016, a new project began with support from the Canadian Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI) and in partnership with local agencies such the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and the Fisheries Commission  as part of on going efforts to restore all degraded mangrove sites, build resilience against climate change and train women in the construction and use of fuel-efficient fish-smoking kilns. The objectives of the project is inline with  Goal 5, 9 and 14 of the Sustainable development Goals.