Wetlands rank among the world’s most productive ecosystems, supporting remarkably high concentrations of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
To fully appreciate their importance, it is essential first to define what constitutes a wetland. Article 1.1 of the Convention on Wetlands, commonly known as the Ramsar Convention (1971), defines wetlands as:
“areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.”
For the protection of areas adjacent to wetlands, Article 2.1 further clarifies that a wetland:
“may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands.”
While the Convention recognises 42 wetland types, five major categories are widely acknowledged:
- Marine – coastal wetlands, including lagoons, rocky shores, and coral reefs;
- Estuarine – including deltas, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps;
- Lacustrine – associated with lakes;
- Riverine – along rivers and streams; and
- Palustrine – “marshy” areas, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
These categories are further grouped into three broad classes: Marine and Coastal Wetlands, Inland Wetlands, and Human-made Wetlands. The latter includes fish and shrimp ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs, gravel pits, sewage farms, and canals.
From these definitions and classifications, wetlands emerge as critical ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, regulate water systems, mitigate flooding, purify water, and provide substantial socio-economic benefits, such as livelihoods, natural resources, food production, and domestic water supply.
Ghana became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in 1988, signalling a long-standing commitment to wetland conservation and sustainable utilisation.
Through the designation of six Ramsar sites, the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Complex, Densu Delta, Muni, Pomadze, Sakumo, Songor, and the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, covering a total area of 205,162 hectares, the Government of Ghana has sought to conserve biodiversity, protect livelihoods, and integrate wetlands into national development strategies.
The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, in collaboration with local authorities, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, and research bodies, has advanced the management of these sites through legal frameworks, community-based approaches, and public education programmes, including World Wetlands Day celebrations.
These measures also align with Ghana’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
The Case for the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Complex
The Keta Lagoon, Ghana’s largest lagoon system, holds exceptional ecological, socio-cultural, and economic significance. Spanning approximately 120 km², it supports over 200 fish species, including economically vital species such as tilapia, bonga, and mullet.
The lagoon sustains the livelihoods of an estimated 50,000 people, primarily from the Anlo State and surrounding communities, who depend on artisanal fishing, salt production, and agriculture.
Beyond food security, the lagoon serves as a natural buffer against coastal erosion. Yet, it is losing an estimated 30–40 metres of shoreline annually due to sea-level rise, sediment disruption, and sand mining.
The lagoon is also crucial for biodiversity, hosting migratory waterbirds along the East Atlantic Flyway, wetland vegetation that stabilises soils, and habitats for endemic species.
Sustainable management of the Keta Lagoon is therefore central to Ghana’s blue economy, supporting fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, while advancing ecosystem-based climate adaptation.
Despite its Ramsar designation, Keta Lagoon faces escalating threats from pollution, hydrological changes, and unsustainable land use. Strengthening its protection requires science-based monitoring, restoration initiatives, and community co-management, recognising the traditional stewardship of the Anlo people.
These measures align directly with Ghana’s Ramsar obligations, the CBD’s global biodiversity Target 2, and national strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.
HATOF Foundation therefore calls for increased investment in the Keta Lagoon Ramsar Complex as a national and regional priority, ensuring that biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the blue economy are safeguarded for present and future generations.
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