Ghana - Coastal wetlands management plans

51166 COASTAL WETLANDS MANAGEMENT PLANS: GHANA Best Available Copy YAA NTIAMOA-BAIDU and CHRIS GORDON Zoology Department University of Ghana Legon, Accra PREPARED FOR THE WORLD BANK AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COUNCIL, GHANA. AUGUST 1991  OTHER CONTRIBUTORS The authors are grateful for the contribution made by the following: Dr. G. T. Agyepong, Land use Ecologist, Geography Department, University of Ghana, sections 2.1.1 - 2.1.5. Mr. D. Abbiw, Botanist, Botany Department, Universi ty of Ghana, section 2.2.1. Dr. K. Ohene-Konadu, Sociologist, Sociology Department, University of Ghana, sections 2.3 & 3.3. Dr. K. A. Tutu, Economist, Economics Department, University of Ghana, section 8.1. Prof. E. Laing, ' \ Botany Department, University qf Ghana, provided very useful comments on the draft report. The authors also wish to acknowledge his encouragement and moral support during the preparation of the report. Mr. S. K. Nyame, Assistant Game Warden, and Mr. Alfred Ali Nuoh, Game Assistant, Save the Seashore Birds Project (SSBP-G), assisted in the data collection and analysis. Mr J. K. Aguzie, Mr. S.B. Duodu and Mr. J. D. Drah, Cartographic Technicians, Geography Department, Universi ty of Ghana, prepared the maps. The support of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) , U. K. , and the International Council for Bird Preservation, for the SSBP-G is gratefully acknowledged. The coastal bird surveys undertaken by the SSBP-G over the past six years, which brought the international ornithological importance of the Ghana coast into the limelight, could not have been undertaken without the financial support of the RSPB. , i CONTENTS SYNOPSIS vii GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 SECTION 1. COASTAL WETLANDS CONSERVATION 4 1.1. Justification 5 1.2 Management strategy 9 1. 2.1 Management options 9 1. 2.2 Management objectives 11 1. 2.3 Management actions 11 1. 2.4 Research and monitoring 13 1.3 Institutional arrangements 14 SECTION 2. 2.1 2.~1 2.1. 2 2.1. 3 SONGOR RAMSAR SITE Introduction situation Geomorphology Climate , 18 19 19 19 19 2.1. 4 Hydrology 19 2.1. 5 Human settlements and land tenure 20 2.1. 6 Land use 20 2.1. 7 Cultural aspects 21 2.1. 8 Threats and conflicts 22 2.2 Flora and fauna 22 2.2.1 Vegetation 22 2.2.2 Fauna 23 2.3 Public conSUltation 26 2.4 Management strategy 29 2.4.1 Objectives 29 2.4.2 Management actions 29 2.4.2.1 Site designation 30 2.4.2.2 zonation 30 2.4.2.3 Habitat management 32 2.4.2.4 Faunal management 34 2.4.2.5 Education/field research centre 34 2.5 Research and monitoring 34 2.6 Mechanism for implementation 36 2.7 site management requirements 37 3. MUNI RAMSAR SITE 38 3.1 Introduction 39 3.1.1 Situation 39 3.1. 2 Geomorphology 39 3.1. 3 Climate 39 3.1. 4 Hydrology 39 3.1. 5 Historical/Cultural aspects 40 3.1. 6 Human settlements/land ownership 40 3.1. 7 Land use 40 3.2 Flora and fauna 42 3.2.1 Vegetation 42  ii 3.2.2 Fauna 42 3.3 Public consultation 45 3.4 Management strategy 47 3.4.1 Objectives 47 3.4.2 Management actions 47 3.4.2.1 Site designation 48 3.4.2.2 Zonation 48 3.4.2.3 Habitat management 49 3.4.2.4 Faunal management 50 3.5 Research and monitoring 51 3.6 Mechanism for implementation 52 3.7 Site management requirements 54 SECTION 4. SAKUMO RAMSAR SITE 55 4.1 Introduction 56 4.1.1 Situation 56 4.1. 2 Climate 56 4.1. 3 ~.1. 4 .1. 5 4.1. 6 4.1. 7 Hydrology Land use Cultural aspects Threats , Human settlements/land ownership 56 57 57 59 60 4.2 Flora and fauna 61 4.2.1 Vegetation 61 4.2.2 Fauna 61 4.3 Management strategy 66 4.3.1 Objectives 66 4.3.2 Management actions 66 4.3.2.1 site designation 66 4.3.2.2 Habitat management 67 4.3.2.3 Faunal management 68 4.3.2.4 Educational/Recreational facilities 68 4.4 Research and monitoring 69 4.5 Mechanism for implementation 70 4.6 Site management requirements 71 SECTION 5. DENSU DELTA RAMSAR SITE 72 5.1 Introduction 73 5.1.1 Situation 73 5.1. 2 Climate 73 5.1. 3 Hydrology 73 5.1. 4 Human settlements/land ownership 74 5.1. 5 Land use 74 5.1. 6 Conflicts 75 5.2 Flora and fauna 76 5.2.1 Vegetation 76 5.2.2 Fauna 76 5.3 Management strategy 80 5.3.1 Objectives 80 5.3.2 Management actions 80 5.3.2.1 site designation 80 5.3.2.2 Zonation 81 5.3.2.3 Habitat management 81 5.3.2.4 Faunal management 82 5.3.2.5 Water management 82 5.3.2.6 Educational/Visitor facilities 82  iii 5.4 Research and monitoring 83 5.5 Mechanism for implementation 84 5.6 site management requirements 85 SECTION 6. ANLO-KETA RAMSAR SITE 86 6.1 Introduction 87 6.2 Ornithological importance of the Keta wetland 87 6.3 Threats 92 6.4 Management strategy 93 SECTION 7. TRAINING NEEDS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME 95 7.1 Training 96 7.2 Technical Assistance 97 7.3 Programme of implementation 98 SECTION 1 8. 8.1 8.3 8.2 COST ESTIMATES Introduction Cost tables Supporting tables for , 101 102 103 cost estimates 109 REFERENCES 112 APPENDICES 114 MAPS 131  iv LIST OF TABLES Table 1