The Sakumono Ramsar Site is seriously under threat after portions of it were sold to individuals and private institutions.
The Sakumono wetland which covers about 1, 364 hectares is now being turned into a residential area.
Wetlands are preserved for their economic, social and cultural benefits and also for recreational and tourist activities.
Wetlands provide habitat for birds, which can play an important role in pest control.
The convention on wetlands, known as Ramsar Convention, is an Inter-governmental Environment Treaty established in 1971 by UNESCO which came into force in 1975. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conversation of wetlands and the wise sustainable use of their resources.
Some farmers at the wetland who spoke with the DAILY GUIDE, called for the protection and conservation of the place due to its significance in sustaining livelihood.
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The farmers were worried about the high rate of encroachment and refuse disposal which are gradually killing the aquatic life of the wetland.
They appealed to the Environmental and Sanitation Department of Tema Metropolitan Assembly(TMA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission to help stop the desecration of the land.
Some residents also raised concern about the indifference of TDC and TMA over the years which led to the wanton destruction of such a priceless national asset by both private and estate developers.
They have therefore appealed to the two institutions to do all in their capacity to halt further desecration of the site for the sake of posterity.
According to them, the wetland which is to improve water quality by trapping sediments, filtering out pollutants and absorbing nutrients that would otherwise result in poor water quality for downstream users, is being abused.
They were at a loss that the wetland which reduces the risk of flooding by slowing down the movement of floodwaters along rivers and releasing water over time is losing its usefulness.
A tour of the Sakumono wetland revealed excavators clearing the place for the building of houses and other commercial structures.
From Vincent Kubi, Sakumono
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