SNV calls for protection of mangroves ecosystem

Accra, April 23, GNA - The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), a non-governmental organisation, has called on district assemblies to intensify efforts towards mangrove rehabilitation and protection of wetlands, along the coastal regions to avoid storms and flooding.

Mr Emmanuel Aziebor, SNV Project Manager for Improved Fish Smoking and Mangroves Rehabilitation, made the call at the celebration of the World Earth Day in Accra.

Mr Aziebor expressed worry that mangroves that are so valuable are rapidly depleting by identified threats such as urbanisation and wood collection for charcoal production.

He said mangroves cover about 14,000 hectares of the total land of Ghana and are mostly found along the coastal belt.

He said the assemblies and other stakeholders must enforce their bye-laws on the environment to protect the mangroves plantations from deforestation.

Mr Aziebor, said mangroves ecosystem are tremendously valuable because they serve as sea-defense and habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species by providing breeding grounds for some fishes and crabs.

He called on communities to support efforts in replanting the degraded mangroves sites because they would provide important source of help in livelihood and ecological securities of surrounding fishing and farming for the people.

Ms Benedicta Samey, a Consultant in her address said, SNV is committed to reduce the impact of fish smoking on mangroves ecosystems by the introduction of improved ovens known as Morrison Fish Smoking Oven and the cultivation and rehabilitation of mangrove forests.

She said test conducted so far on the Morrison fishing oven in combating deforestation have proven that 39 per cent fuel-wood could be saved, which would result in about 40 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide reduction yearly.

The SNV would also support the introduction of 400 improved fish smoking ovens to local communities in the coastal areas.

Ms Samey said more than 10,000 mangrove seedlings are ready to be transplanted in various communities in Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions identified as degraded areas.

The project will include initiatives that will protect 20 hectares of mangrove along the Songor and Keta lagoons through the introduction of alternative livelihood projects like bee-keeping among others.

Mr Dickson Agyeman, Park Manager of the Songor Ramsar Site of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, also called on stakeholders to support the efforts of SNV and others to protect the mangroves that are so valuable for Ghana and promote woodlot plantation to supply sustainable fuel-wood for fish smokers.

GNA