Workshop on management of urban wetlands held
A workshop on best practices regarding the “wise use” and management of urban wetlands has been held in Accra.
Advertisement
Organised by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, in conjunction with the UN Habitat, Ramsar Convention Secretariat and the Ga South Municipality Assembly, the workshop sought to provide ideas and support for the improvement of wetlands.
The "wise use" concept of wetlands is defined as maintenance of the ecological character achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches within the context of sustainable development for the benefit of mankind.
It is expected that at the end of the workshop, the participants would realise the importance of wetlands and manage and preserve them well.
In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Jerry Akwei Thompson, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ga South, said despite the government's effort at maintaining wetlands, unauthorised activities that destroyed wetlands were still on the ascendancy.
He said the problem of degradation, urban encroachment, ground water withdrawals, pollution of water bodies and unauthorised structures on water courses were challenges that needed urgent attention.
According to Mr Akwei Thompson, the economic well-being and quality of life of the citizens depended on the nation's natural resource which wetlands were part, adding that many of these natural features had been lost in the last decade.
The Operations Manager of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Mr Luri Kanton, said the outputs from the workshop would feed into the development of a guidance document to provide generic and specific recommendations on essential actions, including practical resourcing, institutional and monitoring activities necessary for delivery.
