UEW Launches Wetland Conservation Initiative in Western Region

Presenting the project overview and objectives, Dr. Osman emphasised the importance of community involvement, stakeholder collaboration, and climate resilience in ensuring the initiative's success. He indicated that the project aims to assess changes in the wetland's hydrological system and its impact on ecosystem services and local livelihoods, among others. 

In his keynote address, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), highlighted the significance of human progress and the imperative of sustainable development. He presented the audience with a fundamental inquiry: “What is the purpose of our existence?” His response was unequivocal— “every endeavour undertaken, and every innovation introduced must ultimately be directed towards the enhancement of human life.”

He reminisced about a time when communication was a slow and cumbersome process, requiring handwritten letters, postage stamps, and weeks of waiting. “Today, technology has revolutionised the way we connect with one another, making life infinitely more convenient.” In the same vein, he argued, conservation efforts must evolve with forward-thinking solutions that protect natural ecosystems while enhancing the well-being of communities.

Welcoming stakeholders to the project launch, Mr. Samuel Obosu, Planning Officer at the Jomoro Municipal Assembly (JMA), acknowledged the central role of indigenous knowledge in the project. He assured traditional authorities, community members, and local government leaders that their wisdom, experiences, and voices would be fundamental to the project's success.

The Municipal Planning Officer reaffirmed JMA’s full support for the project, pledging that the local governance structures would work with the project’s implementers to facilitate smooth execution. He recognised the immense responsibility placed on the Jomoro Municipality, noting that this was not just a conservation project but a call to action for the district to set a national and regional example in environmental leadership.

Mr. Kofi Agbogah, Director of Hen Mpoano, on his part, emphasised that the ILWGAWS Project is not just about conservation but is rather about securing a future in which Ghana’s coastal and marine ecosystems thrive while also supporting sustainable livelihoods. He stressed that the Greater Amanzule Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services such as climate regulation, flood control, water purification, and biodiversity support. However, he warned that increasing environmental degradation, deforestation, illegal resource extraction, and unsustainable fishing practices pose significant threats.

With Hen Mpoano’s technical expertise, the UEW’s research leadership, and the active involvement of local stakeholders, Mr. Agbogah expressed confidence that the project would serve as a model for wetland management in Ghana and beyond. He assured all stakeholders that Hen Mpoano remains fully committed to working together to protect and restore Ghana’s wetlands for future generations.

The project made possible through the generous support of the Global Centre on Biodiversity and Climate (GCBC) and DAI, with funding from the United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), marks a crucial step towards safeguarding Ghana’s environmental resources. The UEW, in collaboration with Hen Mpoano and the CSIR-Water Research Institute (WRI), aims to revolutionise the management of the Greater Amanzule Wetland Complex, one of Ghana’s most critical ecological systems.

With this launch, UEW has set the stage for a transformative environmental legacy, one that will safeguard the Greater Amanzule Wetland Complex for generations to come.