Investigation of the factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in Ghana Fianko, J.R*1 and Dodd, H. S2 1 Department of Nuclear Sciences and Application, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, Ghana Atomic Energy CommissionP. O. Box LG 80Legon Accra 2 Natural Resource Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Accra – Ghana
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Abstract This study on the Songor Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in Ghana seeks to investigate the factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in Ghana through the administration of structured questionnaires using the drop-and–collect approach, face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The study revealed that the ranking of natural resources and occupation of the area are based on the demarcated zones within which the community is situated. Salt, fisheries and arable lands were identified as the most important natural resource in the wetland. The results on environmental degradation of the wetlands in the Songor Ramsar site in Ghana made it clear that the underlying causes of environmental degradation in the Songor Ramsar site are mainly a combination of Institutional and policy failures. It was revealed that the problem of environmental degradation is a consequence of ineffective enforcement of bye-laws. A combination of several factors such as improper waste disposal, poor attitude of residents toward environmental conservation, wildfires and shoreline recession, inadequate public education on the impact of environmental degradation, fishing and farming activities were identified during the administration of structured questionnaire, face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The other factors include overgrazing, over exploitation of mangroves, Predation, poaching and over fishing, uncontrolled sand and salt winning. Constraints and weaknesses to the implementation of regulations and laws with respect to conservation and protection of the wetlands identified during the study are lack of public education on the economic importance and the need to conserve the wetland, encroachment by developers, lack of enforcement of bye-laws, over-exploitation of mangroves and waste management.
Keywords: Wetland, Environmental degradation, Pollution, Songor Ramsar Site, Ghana
Introduction 2013; Ramsar Convention Secretariat, 2014). Wetland resources, such as fish, reeds, Until recently, wetlands were virtually mangroves and thatch materials are considered as "waste lands" or areas harvested indiscriminately without any form that only served as breeding grounds for of regulation regarding exploitation (Osei dangerous aquatic reptiles and insects such as et al., 2011). Extensive magnitudes of the mosquitoes. Wetlands have now been found to resource have been lost to both natural and provide multifunctional benefits relating to the anthropogenic activities. These activities ecosystem, the economy, and scenic quality. include habitat modification for agriculture, Wetlands provide millions of people with proliferation of invasive aquatic weeds, materials, products and means of livelihood. predation and collection of turtle eggs, Lagoons and wetlands taken together are poaching of protected species, infrastructural ecologically rich to provide food requirements development (port construction, expansion of for many different “feeding guilds” of industrial and recreational facilities), pollution shoreline birds. Ironically, these ecosystems (indiscriminate dumping of solid and liquid are at the stage of environmental siege due waste) etc. These activities contribute to to unsustainable use of resources (Junk et al., regression in the quality and quantity of the
West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 27(2), 2019: 126 - 136 127 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 27(2), 2019 resources worldwide. (AfriMAB, 2013). that her environment is facing an ecological Though prolonged debates on wetlands crisis. The Songor Ramsar and UNESCO sustainability and management have been Man and Biosphere Reserve struggles with undertaken over the years, the uncertainty many challenges. Increasing urbanization, of sustainability and irreversibility factors rural-urban migration and rapid urban surrounding their functions have rarely been development associated with population addressed especially in developing countries growth in the Songor Ramser and UNESCO such as Ghana. The broader values of wetlands Man and Biosphere Reserve have resulted are gradually receiving greater attention as in increased environmental degradation and conservation is being increasingly considered waste generation by industrial, domestic, and as an integral component of sustainable use of other activities. This increase has not been the wetland resources. However, it is evident accompanied by an equivalent growth in the that the values and benefits provided by the capacity to address the problem. Concerns have lagoons are under increasing threat from over- been raised in recent times by cross-section of exploitation and environmental degradation the Ghanaian public about the preservation of (Osei et al., 2011; Finlayson and Moser, the integrity of the Songor Ramsar site due to 1991). The very resources that provide the the level of degradation due to anthropogenic values and benefits are under pressure from activities. the expanding human population. To maintain the resources of the Songor The Songor wetland at Ada is one of the Ramsar Site, the pattern of usage must ensure five coastal wetlands in Ghana that have that the ecological processes that support the been designated as a Ramsar site under products and functions valued by the human the International Ramsar Convention on population are not degraded and lost forever. Wetlands. It was recently enlisted as Man and Whilst traditional patterns and levels of use Biosphere Reserve of international importance can be sustainable in Ghana, expanding by UNESCO (AfriMAB, 2013). The Songor population pressures can all too quickly Ramsar and Biosphere Reserve act as a habitat degrade the basic resources. The situation is and breeding ground for several notable species more acute in Ghana where the coastal zone of both economic and ecological importance. represents less than 7% of the total land area It provides multifunctional benefits relating to but holds over 25% of the nation’s population the ecosystem, the economy and scenic quality. (Attuquayefio and Gbogbo, 2001; Amlalo, These benefits include nutrient recycling in bio- 2006). The continued trend of the drift from ecological adjustment processes, biodiversity rural to urban centres, the industrialization conservation, flood conveyance and water of coastal districts as well as high population storage, water purification, groundwater growth rate place increasing stress on the recharge, leisure and recreation (WRC, 2007). coastal ecosystems In recent years, a growing number of The effective management of coastal studies have stressed the critical situation wetlands requires the development of of several Ghanaian Wetlands (Fianko et al, technical information based on the status of 2009; WRC 2007). Various studies from the knowledge and socio-economic situation wetland’s environment in Ghana indicate of the people in the catchment of the wetland Fianko and Dodd: Investigation of the factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar 128 and factors that contribute to the degradation questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and of the wetland. To ensure sustainability of the focus group discussions. This is to ascertain wetland, it is necessary that an investigation the perception and knowledge of communities of the factors that contribute to degradation within the Songor Ramsar and UNESCO of Songor Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Man and biosphere Reserve catchment of the Biosphere Reserve in Ghana is carried out economic importance of the Ramsar site. The to identify the root cause of environmental study is to also explore the various ways by degradation and propose mitigation measures which the environment of the Songor Ramsar to ensure sustainable management of wetlands. and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve The Songor Lagoon produces a chunk of in Ghana could be managed to maintain salt consumed in Ghana and neighbouring and preserve the ecological integrity of the countries like Togo and Nigeria, but current ecosystem to ensure sustainability of the developments in and around the lagoon biological, aesthetic and production values have affected the level of production. The that the wetlands represents. Ada Songor lagoon is under serious threat following activities of some businessmen who are wreaking havoc on the salt winning site. Materials and methods The level of devastation at the site could have dire consequences on the environment. From Study area afar, the Ada Songor Lagoon is seen to be dry, The Songor Ramsar Site is located in the Ada parched and degraded. The once vibrant salt East District of the Greater Accra Region mining field has been deserted leaving just a of Ghana between Latitudes 06o00' 25" N – few residents in the salt winning business. 05o 45' 30" N and 00o19' E – 00o41' E (Fig. The study is to investigate the factors that 1). It is one of Ghana’s coastal wetlands contribute to the degradation of the Songor and falls on the boundary of two flyways of Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Biosphere water birds, the East Atlantic Flyway and the Reserve through the administration of Mediterranean Flyway. It is 75 m above sea
Fig. 1: Map of study area showing various communities in Songor Ramsar site 129 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 27(2), 2019 level in the north, and 15m near the Gulf of for the breeding of birds, nesting turtles Guinea. The study area comprises extensive and a vital coastline for fish breeding and mudflats and low lands covered with reeds fishing. The buffer zone is characterised by and Sesuvium portulacostrum, a broad sandy farming, controlled salt mining, tourism and beach in the south and flood plains with aquaculture. degraded mangroves and coastal savannah The major communities in the Core Zone vegetation to the east and north. It is important are Pute and Elavanyo. This zone is located for migratory birds’ and other animal species in the south and is regarded as the most listed in the IUCN Red Data List (Armah important feeding and roosting sites for and Amlalo, 1998). The study area has the water birds, nesting sites for marine turtles highest total tern count on the Ghanaian coast and fish species. It has two ecosystem types, naturally important bird populations (over marine and brackish (lagoon) which is the 10% of the total coastal count) of at least 23 aggregation point and core area for birds. The species of water birds (Pierson and Ntiamoah, ecosystem diversity of the area is ecotourism, 1995). The study area falls within two distinct and Sacred Grooves. In the Transition zone, climatic zones; the dry equatorial climate of Kase and Gorm are in the major communities. the south-east coastal plains and the wet semi- This area is mainly composed of settlements equatorial climate further north from the coast with a thin coastal stretch on both ends which with an average rainfall of 750mm, humidity is fast developing into an urban community. 60 % high and temperature ranging between The current land uses include aquaculture, 23 – 280C (Benneh and Dickson, 1998). markets, schools, mechanized shops and tourism. The ecosystem diversity of this area Sampling sites falls completely within the coastal zone and The Songor Ramsar site has been demarcated can be considered as a marine reserve. into three (3) ecological zones. These are the buffer zone, core zone and transitional zone Sampling (Armah & Amlalo, 1998; AfriMAB, 2013). Multiple-stage sampling technique was used Sampling sites were selected to cover all the for the study and these were simple random and three ecological zones within the Ramsar site. purposive sampling. The sampling technique The choice of sampling sites depended on the employed was to ensure easy access to specific location of the community within the three sections of the population and give equal ecological zones and bulk of human activities opportunity for households to be selected. The within the wetland. Obane, Togbloku, Pute, target population was households from the Elavanyo, Kase and Gorm are the major six selected communities who were randomly communities within the Ramsar site where selected using the lottery method and 20 key main human activities such as salt mining, Institutions involved in the management of fishing, farming and tourism take place. the wetland in the District. A total of eighty Obane and Togbloku are in the Buffer Zone households were randomly selected by virtue which is located in the northern sector of the of their living in any of the three ecological open lagoon and is surrounded by floodplain zones of the Ramsar site [Buffer Zone - Obane and coastal lands. It is an ecosystem suitable and Togbloku (salt mining, fishing); Core Fianko and Dodd: Investigation of the factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar 130
Zone - Pute and Elavanyo (fishing, tourism, environmental degradation in the Songor turtles, and sacred groves) and Transitional Ramsar site, the governance structure and Zone - Gorm and Kase (trading, farming, role played by various stakeholders in settlements)]. Twenty-five household each management of the wetland were sought. The were selected from the core and transition researcher sought to find out the causes of zones whiles 30 households were selected environmental degradation in the wetland. All from the buffer zone all based on livelihood the respondents from the households involved and socioeconomic standing of the household. in the study were therefore asked to identify This was done by given households numbers the indicators that contribute to problem of written on pieces of paper, folded and shuffled degradation of the Ramsar site. An observation very well in a container. If the household schedule was used to guide the researcher number was picked, then that household to observe incidences such as degradation was earmarked for the study and provided of the wetland, poaching, predation, habitat with a questionnaire to answer. Officers modification and salt winning. Secondary from key institutions (Wildlife Division of data was obtained from the Wildlife Division Forestry Commission, NADMO, Volta River of Forestry Commission, Ada East District Authority (VRA), Judicial Service (Court), Assembly, articles, journals, internet, books The Police Service, Traditional Council, and newspapers. To ensure validity and Dream Land Resort, Ezime Guesthouse and reliability of the instruments, there was pre- Ada East District Assembly) involved in the testing of the questionnaire and interviews. management of the wetland were purposively selected. Data Analysis The data collected were statistically analysed Data Collection using the Statistical Package for Social Studies Both quantitative and qualitative data were (SPSS) Software (version 20.0). Responses collected. Quantitative data were collected in the questionnaire collected from the through the administration of structured respondents were coded and scored. The data questionnaire using the drop-and–collect were subjected to descriptive analysis where approach. Qualitative data were collected frequencies and cross-tabulation analysis through Face-to-face interviews and were employed and processed into statistical focus group discussions with respondents. tables and figures for easy interpretation and Interviews sessions were also held for discussion purposively selected key stakeholders (Officers from Wildlife Division of Forestry Commission, NADMO, Volta River Authority Results and discussions (VRA), Judicial Service (Court), The Police Service, Traditional Council, Dream Land The fundamental target of environmental Resort, Ezime Guesthouse and Ada East management is to protect the health of the District Assembly. Through the interviews, population, promote environmental quality, information such as; the current state of develop sustainability and provide support to the Ramsar site, the underlying causes of economic productivity. Results of the study 131 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 27(2), 2019 indicate that the study area is cosmopolitan ecological zones. In the transitional zone comprising a heterogeneous population in (Kase and Gorm) more female were involved terms of tribes, socioeconomic status, level in economic activities whiles in the Buffer of education, and occupation. The Ada East and Core Zones the male dominates (Fig. 2). District is made of vast rural communities The Kase and Gorm communities fall within with numerous natural resources which attract the transitional zone of the wetland where salt people from different localities to work. The winning is the predominant occupation. More survey revealed that 71.25% of the respondents women in these communities are involved in were natives while 28.75 % were non – natives salt related activities while the male engage in who lives and work in the communities with farming. their families. Farming requires a lot of physical energy and is Though the Songor wetlands provide dominated by males in the study area. Majority multifunctional benefits relating to the of the females usually engage in activities ecosystem, the economy and scenic quality, at the post-farm level such as marketing, only 18 % of the households involved in wholesale and retail as they are more inclined the study were aware of the socioeconomic to less energy demanding activities than high importance of the Ramsar site to the community energy draining ventures (Breen et al., 1997). and the nation as a whole and were emphatic Only few of the females interviewed engage in that the Songor Ramsar site provides them farming. Vegetables such as cabbage, carrot, their source of employment and food as well green pepper, tomatoes, okro etc were the as promoting tourism and research. As much preferred choice of crops for majority of the as 78% of respondents involved in the study female farmers. They asserted that vegetables were not aware of the immense benefits of the are early yielding and have ready market. Ramsar Site. They stated categorically that The Songor Ramsar site falls completely they derive only fish, crabs, lobsters, shrimps within the coastal zone and can be considered and salt from the wetland. as a marine reserve with numerous economic The study revealed an interesting trend benefits but despite these benefits, extensive relative to activities and sex in the different magnitude of the resources have been lost due
Fig. 2: Gender of Respondents based on economic activities Fianko and Dodd: Investigation of the factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar 132 to both natural and anthropogenic activities. degradation of the Songor Ramsar site Many reasons have been assigned to the (Table 1). Improper waste disposal in the current state of the Ramsar site and these communities was considered by 83% of the include habitat modification for agriculture, respondents as the main factor contributing to proliferation of invasive weeds, predation on the degradation, while 80% believed that poor turtle eggs by dogs, poaching, infrastructural attitude of residents toward environmental development, industrial and recreational conservation is a key factor. Wildfires and expansions, pollution, waste dumping and shoreline recession as well as small scale port constructions etc. (Ghana National industries, fishing and farming activities MAB Committee, 2009). On the causes of were considered by 78% of the respondents environmental degradation in the wetland. All to be the prime impact and 70% considered the respondents from the households involved that lack of public education on the impact of in the study were able to identify the indicators environmental degradation on Ramsar sites is that contribute to problem of degradation of the key cause of environmental degradation the Ramsar site. The following indicators of in the Songor Ramsar Site. Other factors in degradation were identified in the Songor order of seriousness include overgrazing and Ramsar site: changes in natural varieties over exploitation of mangroves; predation, and quantities of vegetation; emergence of poaching and over fishing; uncontrolled sand invasion weeds; poor drainage and reduced and salt winning. Poaching and predation of flow of water bodies, siltation as well as marine turtles and their eggs were identified poor water quality; Changes in biodiversity as a major drawback to tourism development (species abundance) and changes in the land in the wetland. The sand winning has led to use patterns as well as soil erosion especially the intrusion of seawater into the few fresh along the coast. water bodies in the communities and serious Five main factors were identified by erosion that has affected houses within the respondents to be contributing to the communities.
TABLE 1 Factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve (%)
Factor that degrade the Ramsar site Strongly Disagree Disagree Not sure Agree Strongly Agree
% % % % % Small scale industries, fishing and farming 1.89 9.43 0 18.87 69.81 activities
Improper waste disposal in the communities 0 3.13 0 14.06 82.81
Predation, poaching and over fishing 0 0 4.76 33.33 61.90
Uncontrolled sand and salt winning 1.72 1.72 1.72 37.93 56.90
Overgrazing and over exploitation of 1.67 1.67 1.67 30 65 mangroves
Wildfires and shoreline recession 1.75 0 1.75 19.30 77.19
Poor attitude of residents toward 1.70 0 1.70 16.95 79.66 environmental conservation Lack of public education on the impact of 1.59 0 3.17 25.40 69.84 environmental degradation on Ramsar sites 133 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 27(2), 2019
During the focus group discussions, it dump their waste indiscriminately in any was revealed that the Songor Ramsar and available space. Lack of garbage bins induces Biosphere Reserve is faced with many people to litter the communities and throw challenges which are mainly anthropogenic their garbage anywhere for convenience. At even though there are institutions that manage Kase, located in the Transitional Zone where wetlands. The Songor Wetland in Ada is there is a major market in the District, litter grappling with increasing piles of waste, lack bins have been placed at vehicular terminals of disposal technologies and methodologies, to receive waste from the public. Majority of overflowing dumping sites and indiscriminate these bins, however, are uncovered and open sand winning. The main challenges in Songor which attracts flies, insects and pests posing Ramser and UNESCO Man and Biosphere a human health risk. This result confirmed Reserve identified in during the focus group the well-established research findings that discussions were induced by human activities the underlying causes of environmental such as pollution, habitat modification, degradation of wetlands in many countries are agriculture, proliferation of invasive weeds, mainly a combination of institutional, market, predation poaching of turtle and their eggs, and policy failures (WRC, 2007; USGS, 2002; waste management especially plastics and Wang et al., 2001). Uncontrolled dumping unsustainable resource utilization. Changing of waste and open burning as a means of land use pattern, disposal of liquid effluent and waste disposal are common and in most sludge spreading in the wetlands are relatively developing countries pose adverse impacts on widespread. Coastal erosion also threatens the the surrounding environment (Yankson, 1998; shoreline stability with an increasing trend due Schertenleib, and Meyer, 1996). to climate change while water pollution and The impact of solid waste on wetland hydrological regulation becomes the major environment ranges from the release of threats to the sustainable use of products harmful greenhouse gases to contamination harvested from the wetlands. of ground water (Lambin et al, 2003; Gibbs, Analysis of the research data from the study 2000). During field investigations, it was area revealed a clear relationship between observed that majority of docks and bins human density, wetland density and wetland were overflowing with wastes while refuse degradation. As human settlement pattern dumps in the study area are managed by shifted from rural to urban, wetland mosaic in indiscriminate burning. According to officers the study area shifted from consisting of many from the Ada East District Assembly, the clustered wetlands to fewer isolated wetlands current waste management methods employed which is an indication of degradation. In poor in the wetland include, burning, burying neighbourhoods within all the ecological underground, incineration, dumping in refuse zones, residents only had access to an erratic dumps and recycling by scavengers. Open communal skip services, frequently located burning and dumping of waste among others at great distances from some residential are unhealthy and are associated with social, units. Moreover, many peripheral and rural ecological, political and economic problems. communities in the Songor Ramsar site had Burning emits greenhouse gases (GHGs) no such services, compelling households to into the atmosphere that greatly contribute to Fianko and Dodd: Investigation of the factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar 134 global warming while burying underground but traditional authorities, District Assembly chokes the soil since most plastics are non- and opinion leaders in the communities plays biodegradable (Medina, 2002). Burning may significant role. According to the bye-laws, also cause heavy metals like lead, toxic gases anthropogenic activities in selected reserved and smoke to spread over residential areas. areas in the wetland (poaching, sand wining Air pollution due to burning of waste and and game) are illegal while salt wining, spreading of toxic fumes may cause damage settlements and crop farming are restricted to both the environment and human health to specific areas. According to the study, the (Lambin et al., 2003). traditional authorities have enacted traditional The general principle of good intent and rites in the District which are strictly enforced. wetland protection is to ensure conservation The marine turtle which is totemic to five and wise use of wetlands through local and clans provide traditional regulatory support management cooperation as a contribution for their protection (Amlalo et al 1998). towards achieving sustainable development. Sacred groves and indigenous beliefs of the Wise use of wetlands is the maintenance of natives collectively help to increase the tourist their ecological character achieved through potential of the area. the implementation of ecosystem approaches Though households involved in the study within the context of sustainable development. agrees that the existing regulation and laws During the focus group discussions and the are sufficient enough to ensure sustainability interviews, all the key stakeholders involved of the wetland, they accuse management in the management of the wetland asserted of the wetland of not implementing the that the Songor Ramsar and UNESCO full regulations and laws with respect to Man and Biosphere Reserve is governed by conservation and protection of the wetlands conventions and bye laws. and said current supervision is not sufficient The Wildlife Division of the Forestry enough to ensure sustainability. The main Commission of Ghana was found to be the main weaknesses identified are waste management, body in charge of management of the wetland lack of public education on the economic
Fig. 3: Challenges identified at Ramsar Songor Area 135 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 27(2), 2019 importance and the need to conserve the overgrazing, over exploitation of mangroves, wetland, encroachment by developers, lack of Predation, poaching and over fishing, enforcement of bye-laws and over-exploitation uncontrolled sand and salt winning. Constraints of mangroves. and weaknesses to the implementation Wetlands are dynamic areas open to influence of regulations and laws with respect to from natural and human factors. In order conservation and protection of the wetlands to maintain their biological diversity and identified during the study are lack of public productivity and to allow wise use of their education on the economic importance and the resources by human beings, some kind of need to conserve the wetland, encroachment agreement is needed between the various by developers, lack of enforcement of bye- owners, occupiers and laws, over-exploitation of mangroves and interested parties (Ramsar Convention, waste management. 1998). All the major stakeholders involved in the management of the Songor Ramsar References Site acknowledged that they have noticed environmental challenges in the Ramsar site. AfriMAB, (2013). Biosphere Reserves in Sub- The challenges include pollution of the beach Saharan Africa: Showcasing Sustainable with municipal solid waste especially plastics, Development. pp 125-139. tree cutting, illegal fishing and improper Amlalo, D. S. (2006). The protection, disposal of waste (fig. 3). According to the management and development of the District Assembly their main challenge is marine and coastal environment of Ghana. solid waste management due to inadequate Administering Marine Spaces: International infrastructure, financial constraints and poor Issues, 148. attitude of inhabitants with regard to waste Amlalo D. S., Atsiatorme L. D. and Fiati disposal. C (1998). Biodiversity Conservation, Traditional Knowledge and Modern Conclusion Concepts. Proceedings of the Third UNESCO MAB Regional Seminar on Studies on Environmental degradation of Biosphere Reserves for Biodiversity wetlands in Songor Ramsar site in Ghana Conservation and Sustainable Development made it clear that the underlying causes of in Anglophone Africa (BRAAF) Cape Coast, environmental degradation in the Songor 9 – 12th March, 1997. EPA. 2, 48, 80-81. Ramsar site are mainly a combination of Armah A. K. & Amlalo. D. S. (1998); Coastal Institutional and policy failures. A combination Zone Profile of Ghana Gulf of Guinea of several factors such as improper waste Large Marine Ecosystem Project. Ministry disposal, poor attitude of residents toward of Environment, Science, Technology and environmental conservation, wildfires and Innovation, Accra, Ghana, PP. 10 – 16. shoreline recession, inadequate public Attuquayefio, D. K., & Gbogbo, F. (2001). education on the impact of environmental Prospects of conserving wetlands along the degradation, fishing and farming activities Mukwe Lagoon at Nungua in the Greater were identified. The other factors include Accra Region of Ghana. West African Fianko and Dodd: Investigation of the factors that contribute to degradation of Songor Ramsar 136
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