Protecting Ghana’s Lagoons: Stakeholders Collaborate to Preserve Vital Ecosystems
Ghana’s lagoons, which play a crucial role in supporting livelihoods and ecosystems, are facing multiple threats. To address this issue, various stakeholders have come together to develop a collective framework aimed at safeguarding these important natural resources. The workshop, organized by Innohub, the University of Northampton, and the Resilient Lagoon Network, brought together academics, policymakers, government agencies, entrepreneurs, and community members.
The degradation of lagoons is primarily caused by activities such as encroachment on wetlands, deforestation, improper waste disposal, and climate change. The consequences are far-reaching, with the West Africa coast alone losing an estimated $3.8 billion annually due to erosion, flooding, and pollution. Protecting lagoons is not only an environmental imperative but also crucial for sustaining livelihoods and preserving coastal communities.
The stakeholders identified key measures to address these challenges. They emphasized the need for infrastructure development to support businesses in lagoon communities and reduce the cost of doing business. Additionally, raising awareness among community members about the significance of lagoons and involving them in preservation efforts is essential. Ongoing training programs for eco-entrepreneurs on sustainable practices, including the proper use and recycling of materials found in lagoons, were also proposed.
To incentivize environmental entrepreneurship, the stakeholders suggested organizing solution-oriented competitions with financial rewards. This would motivate young entrepreneurs to develop innovative products and services that contribute to the protection and preservation of lagoons. By aligning their efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically goals 11, 13, 14, 15, and 17, the stakeholders aim to create sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.
Professor Sian Davies-Vollum, Deputy Dean of the University of Northampton and Founder of the Resilient Lagoon Network, highlighted the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change on Ghana’s lagoons. She emphasized that the project’s multidisciplinary approach, combining research, policy, business, and community involvement, is crucial for achieving lasting change.
The partnership between Innohub, the University of Northampton, and other stakeholders aims to unite all parties involved in securing the future of Ghana’s lagoons. By providing technical and business development support to environmental entrepreneurs, the initiative seeks to empower them to tackle the challenges faced by lagoons and coastal areas effectively.
In summary, the collaborative efforts of stakeholders to protect Ghana’s lagoons signify a significant step towards preserving these vital ecosystems. With a comprehensive framework in place, the focus now shifts to implementing sustainable solutions that safeguard lagoons while supporting the communities that depend on them. It is crucial for both the government and non-state actors to rally behind this initiative and ensure its successful implementation for the benefit of present and future generations.