The Wildlife Division (WD) of the Forestry Commission (FC) has commemorated World Wetlands Day 2025 with a symbolic Mangrove planting at the Obane Community, Songor Lagoon Ramsar Site, Ada, and a durbar at the Dove Park, Ada Foah.
The symbolic planting was led by the Wildlife Division Operations Director, Mr Umaru Farouk Dubuire, together with other staff of the Commission, and students of the Ada Senior Secondary School. Over 100 seedlings of white Mangrove species were planted, with the students pledging to see to the nurturing and growth of the planted seedlings.
February 2, of each year is celebrated as World Wetlands Day, to raise global awareness about the critical role of wetlands in ensuring sustainable biodiversity, climate change and livelihood support. The theme for the 2025 World Wetlands Day, “Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future”, places emphasis on the urgent need for the collective responsibility of all individuals and stakeholders, to conserve and restore wetlands to ensure a sustainable ecosystem for future generations.
During the durbar, Mr Umaru Dubuire, delivering a speech on behalf of the Acting Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh Brown, made a passionate appeal to traditional leaders, elders, opinion leaders and the general public to assist the Commission to protect the country’s wetlands because of their importance to the ecosystem, and also for the very survival and future of citizens.
“As Ghanaians, we should be deeply concerned about the protection of wetlands because they form the foundation for our well-being”, he stated.
Mr Dubuire mentioned that as overseers of these vital wetlands resources, FC collaborates with its partners by developing appropriate policies and regulations in line with the Ramsar Convention; embarks on research and monitoring of the resources; education and awareness creation; restoration of degraded habitats and ecosystem, and establishing CREMAs, among others.
He noted that the most difficult challenge facing the Commission in the management of wetlands, is law enforcement. “Uncontrolled encroachment and pollution by perpetrators with the connivance of traditional leaders are having severe consequences on sites located or close to urban centres and settlements”, he explained.
The Operations Director underscored that wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, and therefore “we must all pledge to actively participate in the conservation and restoration of Ghana’s wetlands ecosystems”.
The WD Operations Manager, Mr Enoch Amasa Ashie, who also read a speech on behalf of the WD Executive Director, Dr Joseph Boakye, Esq., explained that wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, as they serve as critical breeding, feeding and nesting grounds for many bird and fish species and other wildlife species, as well as providing essential services such as water regulation and purification, flood control and livelihoods.
He stated that the Division is making strenuous efforts to combat the numerous challenges facing wetlands, through a variety of initiatives and strategies, among which are the collaborations with local communities, NGOs, school and the media.
“Currently the Division is implementing the West African Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA Res IP2) which aims at restoring the ecological, social and economic assets of coastal areas, addressing coastal erosion, flooding and pollution of the coastal ecosystem”, he intimated.
Mr Ashie concluded that the protection and sustainable management of wetlands is a shared responsibility and “as we observe Wetlands Day, lets us renew our commitment to these vital ecosystems and make sure Ghana’s wetlands continue to thrive”.
The WD Regional Manager for Eastern Zonal Office, Mr Moses Anongura, in his address noted that in line with the Ramsar Convention, the Wildlife Division has over the years established six ramsar sites across Ghana, to protect the country’s ecologically sensitive wetlands.
Songor Lagoon Ramsar Site which is one of them, is the second largest coastal wetland in Ghana, and home to two Mangrove species as well as nesting ground for four globally endangered marine turtle species, namely the Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Green turtles, together with other critical wildlife species.
The Chief of Foalinyaa Totimekope, Nene Osusey Ankwerh II; the Representative of the Paramount Chief of the Ada Traditional Area, Nene Abrah Kabu Akuaku III and Chairman for the occasion, in his opening and closing remarks urged all to be friendly to the creations of God, including wetlands, to protect these valuable natural resources for societal and the country’s benefit, and not be enemies in destroying them.
The District Coordinating Director of Ada East, Mr Jerryson K. Aryih, in a speech read by Mrs Faustina Blewusi on his behalf, encouraged stakeholders, especially developers, to prioritise environmental conservation and adopt sustainable practices that protect the nation’s precious wetlands and the biodiversity they support.
Solidarity messages highlighting the importance of wetlands and the critical need to protect and conserve them, came from the Ghana Education Services-Ada; Volta Resilience Foundation-NGO; Fishermen and Fishmongers from the Ada East and West Districts.
Participating schools from the Ada Communities included the Merit Community School, Azizanya D/A and; Totimekope Basic Schools, Ada Senior High School and Ada Training College performed a skit for the program.
There was an exhibition of picture boards of wild animals, artefacts and other information on wildlife.