The Forestry Commission (FC) has hosted the Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands, Dr. Musonda Mumba, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration on wetland conservation and assess Ghana’s implementation of the Convention.
Dr. Mumba, accompanied by a representative of the Convention Secretariat, Mr. Zebedee Njisuh, and officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was in Ghana on a working visit to assess the country’s performance in wetland conservation and management, while exploring opportunities for enhanced cooperation between the Convention Secretariat and Ghana.
The delegation was received by the Chief Executive (CE) of the Commission, Dr. Hugh C. A. Brown, together with the Acting (Ag.) Deputy CE, Hon. Timothy A. Awontiirim; the Executive Director of the Wildlife Division (WD), Dr. Joseph Boakye, Esq.; and other high-ranking officials of the FC.
The visit sought to evaluate the status of wetland conservation and management in Ghana, review the country’s implementation of the Convention on Wetlands, engage with FC’s management and technical staff on wetland governance and management practices, as well as strengthen collaboration between the Convention Secretariat and Ghana.
Welcoming the delegation, Hon. Awontiirim, expressed the Commission’s appreciation for the visit and assured the Secretary General of fruitful deliberations that would further advance Ghana’s wetland conservation agenda.
As part of the engagement, the Operations Manager for Wetlands, Mr. Eric Atta-Kusi, delivered a presentation on Ghana’s wetland resources, outlining the country’s policy framework, management interventions and key conservation achievements. He highlighted the indispensable role wetlands play in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, fish production, flood mitigation and the sustenance of livelihoods for many local communities. He further noted that Ghana is home to several internationally recognised Ramsar Sites and continues to implement measures to ensure their protection and sustainable use.
Addressing the meeting, Dr. Mumba commended Ghana for its commitment to wetland conservation and acknowledged the efforts of the Forestry Commission and its partners in safeguarding the country’s wetland ecosystems.
She noted that community participation has significantly contributed to wetland conservation efforts. Dr. Musonda Mumba stressed the need to strengthen data collection and reporting systems to support evidence-based decision-making and enhance Ghana’s international reporting obligations. She also encouraged the integration of wetlands into national development planning and climate change strategies.
The Secretary General further underscored the importance of documenting indigenous knowledge and traditional practices associated with wetland conservation through active community participation to ensure their preservation for future generations. Finally, she called for greater environmental education, particularly among children and young people, to cultivate a culture of wetland conservation and sustainability.
The discussions highlighted a number of challenges affecting the effective management of wetlands in Ghana, with participants proposing practical recommendations to strengthen conservation and sustainable management efforts.
Bringing the meeting to a close, Dr. Joseph Boakye expressed appreciation to the Secretary General and her delegation for the visit. He reaffirmed the Forestry Commission’s commitment to working closely with the Convention Secretariat and other stakeholders to advance the conservation and sustainable use of Ghana’s wetlands in line with the objectives of the Convention on Wetlands.
